Evening star., 1898-04-29
THE ARMY MULE.
He IL n Most Patient and Necessary
Factor I'm All Operations.
Barber & Ross,
nth and O. SITS.

From the Kansas City Star
An element OF strength in a war between
the United States and Spain would be the
superiority of the United States in the
natter of mules. The United States is .he
greatest mule nation in the world and
Missouri is the bright particular mule state
in the Union.
1t is a remarkable fact that in this con-
test Spain is also mule country. The
ceremonial team of the royal family Of
Spain is composed OF white mules But in
this point of comparison. as in every other.
the superiority of the United States is
manifest. AS the United States has more
men and more guns, so 1t has more mules.
Spain has, during the three years contest
with the insurgents. been forced to draw
her mule supply from the United States.
principally from Kansas City. With war
this supply will be cut off and the Ameri-
can mule. no longer being subject to draft
in a cause he must despise. will be used in
the service of mis- own country.
The mule became prominent in history at
the time OF our civil war. The long-eared
champion seemed to spring from the
earth. Many volunteers from certain sec
fore seen pair OF mules harnessed lived
to see thousands of them hauling army
wagons Teamsters, also, seelne,i to be
created for the occasion. While the art of
driving mules is a separate and distinct
science. thousands of fully qualified drivers
appeared. ready to climb into the saddles.
armed with the resonant ''backsnake''
and full free, rich and rolling vocabu-
larry.
The mule. II is needless to say, has de-
veloped in wa- the highest military quali-
ies-endurance, patience and courage.
The war horse, eulogized by Job and many
writers since, has never displayed the prac-
teal traits OF the army mule which have
never been preserved in blank verse or
flowing rhyme. The mule is ever active
alert and watchful, and his clarion voice.
rouses the soldier e'er the morning star g"
Usually the mule does not go where glory
waits him (though Gen. Fighting Phil
kearny habitually rode a mulc). but is cum
relled to do the heavy labor of the quar-
But in whatsoever lot-feed lot or any
other-in which he is placed, he does his
duty He has been accused of a quick and
even vindfctfve temper, but I'm trying times
it was never allowed to interfere with the
performance o. his public duties. And 1t
was In the darkest days and nights of the
war. as his soldier associates will now re-
member. that the bright qualities Of the
mule appeared. In the darkness and storm
with mud to the hubs, he leaned to the
collar and snaked the heavy vain. calm
and imperturbable. although his director
wrapped himself with curses as with a gar
ment and rode along envelopei in a light
blue halo OF profanity. And when tho
muddy march as over. the mule. who for
Gays together had dlned and supped on
end gates, released from harness. and hiS
long-vacant interior decorated with a few
quarts OF corn, ran and raced. and squeaied
and kicked and played with his fellows an
IL ne saw already spanning the horizon tho
rainbow OF peace.
In warm and southern regions the ser
wees OF the mule are Indispensable. While
he can live anywhere, he seems q sort of
tropical beast. IL is believed that his am
pie ears hrst unfo4ded I'm the sun of the
equator. and that palm leaves and similar
vegetation stirred to his first high and
vibrant note In Cuba he has found Inc
peace and will find In war q wide field of
exertion.
A great general has said that "an army
moves on Its belly" The army with tho
best sustained cracker line" must eventu-
ally wear out its opponent, and Il is the
mule that sustains the cracker line" To
slightly change the saying OF Gen. N H.
Forrest, 1t Is the party 'that gets there
the fastest with the mostest mules" on
whose banners will be twined the laurels
Of victory.