The sun., 1898-09-20
The Silver Colonel.

Our esteemed contemporary, the Boston
Republic, makes these curious observations
as to the conditions which determine the
military service Of a distinguished martial
ist from Nebraska:
'Mr. BRYAN went into the volunteer army just as
other patriotic citizens went in from sense of duty
He went In to fight his country'b battles not to do
garrison duty. He did not intend to follow tho pro-
fesson Of arms. He responded to an emergency
call. The emergency has passed. Tho war Is over
Mr.. BRYAN, who has obligations and duties in civil
life should be at relieved from further military
service and sent home An Administration with any
sense of decency would do this without waiting to
have the suggestion made.
Col. BRYAN wss two years ago. the Democratic
candidate for President OF the United States Over
$500 900 free American citizens cast their votes
him. Ho Is one OF the most conBpicuouS of tho
party leaders to- day. In that capacity he 10 under
obligations to tho people for political advice and
guidance. He has positive responsibilities In this
relation which he cannot escape put aside. To
compel his further service in the army. and thus
prevent him from taking any part In the campaign
10. to say the least, cowArdly piece OF political
trickery Of which no Self.respecting man would be
guilty"
According to this theory Mr.. BRYANs
duty as a soldier should end whenever he is
wanted on the stump. The opportunity for
brilliant achievement In the field having
passed, useful If less sensational service
should not be expected Of him. His obliga-
tions as stump speaker transcend his obli-
cations as an officer, and 1t is a sin and a
shame not to dismount him at once from
his barbed steed and let him leap upon his
hobby horse again.
Probably this is the most accommodating
view that has ever been put forth of q SOL
dier's obligations. Col. BRYAN Is to be a
Colonel only 80 long as there ia a chance for
distinction for him in remaining in the
army. His obligations are not to the coun-
try whose uniform he wears, but to the
Popocratic party. or himself. His enlist
ment Is contract terminable at the con-
venience Of his party or his good pleasure.
1t is q cowardly piece Of trickery not to re-
lieve him at once from responsibilities
which he voluntarily undertook.
Doubtless Col. BRYAN will be allowed to
close his engagement In war drama and to
return to his old theatre. The Administra-
tion must be fully as weary Of him as he is
OF the routine OF military service. From
the beginning Of his military ambition his
friends assumed that the Administration
was trying to do him injustice. They made
tremendous hullabaloo over the report
that he was to be sent to the Philippines.
Always, In the minds Of his partisans, he is
the politician seeking military honors for
the benefit of his party and his political
hopes. Not his opponents but his friends
have drawn the effigy of him which can
not be effaced, the eflgy of a prancing
politician who loves to be photographed in
soldiers togs but who wears a costume and
plays part for his own advantage and that
OF his party. Not his opponents but his
friends show him In the light OF a person
who must be treated as a political favorite
and not as q soldier
1t is simple justice to BRYAN" to say
that in all his excursions along Wardom
street he will be unlikely to hit upon any
costume that will make him seem more
absurd than he appears as a Popocratlc
spouter restrained from the stump by
cruel Administration.