The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-08-26
Washington Letter.
From our regular Correspondent.

w aoI1lNGlON, Il. ~. aux IL 4OCCs
No other country ever did, and it is
not likely that any other country ever
will, in the short space of three months
and half fight such a remarkable war
as the U. S. has just fought to a sue
cessful close 1t was one line OF sue
cesses, without even single set back
from Dewey's victory in Manila Bay
to the acceptance of the terms of peace
by the French Ambassador, authorized
to act for Spain. Without detracting
in the slightest degree from the honors
a grateful country are paying the
beroes who participated in the fight
Ing, it is we'll to call attention to the
fact that there is a man in Washing
ton, to whose iron will and sleepless
energy more credit is due for the
glorious results and ending of the war
than to any other single individual.
That man is William Mckinley, who
has shown himself worthy to be the
Chief Executive of the greatest and
strongest nation that the world has
ever seen, by gaining the admiration,
love and confidence of our own people,
and the respect of the entire civilized
world. He has raised the U. S. to
higher position than it has ever occu-
pied in the eyes Of tie world, and yet,
he is today as unostentatious as he
was when serving in the house, and
has no pride other than that which
every man has who conscientiously
performs his duty. Every American
can point with pride to President Nc
Kinley and say to less favored nations:
This is the sort of man that a free
country produces at need.
President Mckinley took occasion
in a letter declining an invitation
from Gen. Breckenridge to review the
troops at Chickamauga Park, because
OF his inability to get away from
Washington, to say a few words that
will do much to soften the bitter dis
appointment Of the thousands of vol
unteers who had no opportunity to do
any fighting. These words were:
"The highest tribute that can be paid
to the soldier is to say that he per-
formed his full duty. The field of
duty is determined by his government
and wherever that chances to be is the
place of honor All have helped in
the great cause, whether in camp or
battle, and when peace comes, all will
be alike entitled to the nations graft
tude."
Gov. Otero, of New Mexico, who is
visiting Washington, said: president
McKinley's administration is i'm
mensely popular with US, and right
here 1 want to say that New Mexico
is as loyal and patriotic as any state
or territory in the union. Because
many OF our people are of Spanish de-
scent, lot of foolish stuff has been
written accusing them of siding with
Spain. A greater slander was never
perpetrated. Our territory raised five
companies of Rough Riders, three of
which did magnificent service in the
hard fighting in front OF Santiago.
The captain of one of them, Max Luna,
of Spanish lineage, especially distin-
guished himself i'll the charge at San
Juan. 1t was reported that he was
killed, but he is very much alive, and
it wouldn't be astonishing if his re-
publican friends insisted upon nomi-
mating and electing him to Congress.
None of the volunteers are likely to
be mustered out of service for some
time to come. This statement is
made upon Secretary Alger's authori-
ty. While the matter has not been
definitely determined, the Secretary
thinks that the garrisons that will
have to be maintained for an indefi-
u1IC DCl1OQ III OQOd 1uO L VI w 4ilOO,
will be made up entirely of volunteers,
divided as far as possible between the
troops of all the states, the regulars
being returned to the forts and army
posts from which they were taken. AS
yet, no one can do more than guess at
the number of men we shall hav3 to
Cuba when the Spanish troops are
withdrawn, and unless there is abso-
lutte necessity for sending them before,
the President does not wish our troops
to go until cool weather.
While there is no reason to believe
that the present temporary peace will
not be permanent, no chances are to
be taken. Every vessel in our navy,
that is where it can be done, is to be
thoroughly overhauled and put in first
class fighting condition as fast as the
work can be done.