The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-04-29
LIEUTENANT

1t is again reported that the Royal
Governor of North Carolina is
to lead North Carolina troops
in the Cuban expedition. That
is an important announcement
both upon the fortunes of Cuba and
the patriotism of North CarOlinians.
The Spaniards had just as we'll come
down out of the tree if Lieutenant
General Dan Russell is in command.
Farther resistance will be futile. The
North Carolinians may take mother
view of the matter and be indispOsed
to risk their lives on foreign soil un-
der such a leader. Wal is a very seri-
Gus business, and requires pluck, tacti-
cal skill, and a knowledge of the art
of war to command in the field. Rus
sell is ignorant of the military art. He
never so much rs "Set a squadron in
the field" He would be a fine target
for the Spanish sharp-shoOters, for
they could hardly fail to hit the mark.
How brave His Royal Highness is we
may not say. He may be really burn
ing to NEEDLE with cold irOn," or he
may be like some before him in the
opening of battle, find a convenient
cover, Or take to his heels (imagine
Russell making a f%ootrace from the
the front and for half a mile)
and bid the devil take the hindmost,
Which at this race is like to win most"
Strange to say, our recent North
Carolina exchanges seem not disposed
to take RusselIs war fever as serious
or genuine. They treat the suggestion
or purpose with a tiippancy Of COM
ment hat is rather unbecoming, con-
sidering the seriousness of the little
joke as to the proposed invading COM
mander-in-chief. The Raleigh Post
right under the nose of the great Chief
Executive presumes to mention the re-
| port Of warlike purposes after this airy
manner
1.-The rumOr that His Excellency will
lead the North Carolina troops in per-
son has been received. In this connec
ton it is mentioned that the governor
has filed his application with the Sec
rotary of war for one of those fight
ing elephants that were recently offered
to the department, it being understood
that no horse at present available is
equal to the task of carrying His Cor
pOrOcity to the war"
That is too bad. And then here comes
The Charlotte Observer with a slightly
yelled disposition to be severely decor
Gus talking about the great war cap
| tain in this rather ludicrous style, and
4t-4 - =. ~<I 49, $4,000
almost ready to knock perhaps at the
North Carolina seashOre gates. Says
the gay Observer:
lone of the most interesting bits of
war news up to this time is that Gov
ernOr Russell has telegraphed the pres
ident saying that North Carolina, on
the call for troops, would not only fur
niSh her quota, but a large additional
numbe if needed, and adding that he
thereby rendered his own services to
lead the North Carolina troops His
Nibs, marching at the head of the
North Carolina troops in Cuba, would
be a sight worth going to see. He has
a most martial bearing; his carriage
is grace itself; he would take the cake
at even a Southern Railway cake
walk. with the judges packed against
him."
Give the governor a chance. If he
really burns for deeds of glorious
chivalry'' and would glory in dying
in Cuba to make it free, let him have
a full opportunity. 1t will be his only
way of achieving noble fame and go
ing into a history as patriot and hero.
With such a soldier as Russell, why
look farther for a commandment?