The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-27
WORK ron the voLUNTEERs.

1t is greatly to be regretted that the OBJ
lection to doing garrison duty is becoming
so prevalent among the volunteer troops.
As it happened, but few of them were
needed in active service, the war bong
ended so quickly, and it was natural that
those who were held in reserve should feel
disappointment. The depressing conditions
In several of the camps have also had their
part in creating discomfort but the main
cause of the opposition to serving in Cuba
and Porto Rico and the Philippines as keep
ers of the peace seems to be the feeling that
it is less dignifed and honorable service
than that of participation in battle or other
direct military movement against the
enemy. Nothing is further from the truth.
By their prompt enlistment after the Pres
ident's call these volunteers proved their
willingness to fight and fall, If need be, in
their country's behalf. Their courage and
patriotism and spirit of self-sacrifice were
recognized and acknowledged by the world,
and the Nation felt and feels pride in
them that is no wise affected by the mere
incident of their not being needed in the
brief campaign that was the beginning and
end of the war. On the contrary, the salts
faction everywhere except among them
selves that these brave, bold and eager
young soldiers were not required to risk
their lives in fighting the foreign foe is
deep That they have the opportunity to en-
ter the newly-acquired possessions and
stand guard over them in their govern
ments name without having suffered in
ha& -
of most people. and should so be regarded
by them. They will represent a great coun-
try at it's entrance upon a. new era in it's
history. Upon them will devolve the duty
of establishing the peace that the protocol
proclaims. They will be closely identified
with a movement and events destined to be
famous. the conditions will be such. un-
doubtedly. that they will be a more init
mate factor in the evolution and develop
ment of the new government than if they
had merely taken part in battles. They will
see the changes in progress and will aid
by their presence, if in no other way in
bringing them about They will, in fact. en-
JOY distinction in being detailed for this
service which many will be inclined to envy
them. There are minor privileges involved
also. They will be among novel scenes and
a strange people. experiences always de-
sired by enterprising youth-and there will
doubtless be sufficient incident in their life
on the islands to prevent monotony. There
will be some who will wish to engage in
business there, however the negotiations of
the commissioners may end, and the adj
vantage of education and observation given
to such men by period of garrison duty
is great In short, for public and personal
reasons the assignment to the islands which
the United States will own or stand
guardian for is one to be earnestly desired.
1t would be we'll if the War Department
would designate definitely at once the regi-
ments it will send to the different posts.
The spirit of .restlessness and discomfort
would thus be quoted and the soldiers
would, in all probability. as they came to
consider the matter, recover at least share
of their earlier zeal and welcome the privi-
lege of terrifying Uncle Sam in his new ter
ritory.