The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1898-08-13
A Campaign for Politics.
From the Army and Navy Register.

From the Army and Navy Register
| Is the war to close in the scandal of politics?
| There is promise of it, The authorities of this Ad-
ministration who are responsible for sending
eighteen regiments to Porto Rico make no pretence
| that the services of these troops needed. The
order printed in another column is tribute to the
politicians who have successfully interfered with
| so much that should have been sacred from the
| spokesman and party trickster The plans of cam
pagns should not have been profuned by the touch
| of the heeers. One would think were this Gov
eminent ever to be operated upon the broad lines
of patriotism the occasion would assuredly be when
| this country was at war with foreign Power. 1t
might naturally be inferred that then politics
| would he forgotten and politicians ignored. With
| the end of the upon u.s. and the work of the
army and navy ally accompl shed, it is not
amiSs to say i'll all candor, that both politics and
politicians have had their influences. The quality
of the one and the presence of the other have
trolled the destines of this nation and governed
campaigns. The appointments made to staff posi-
tons i'll the army have in numerous instances been
fragrant and brazen examples of the influence of
politics. orders issued to officers have been actu-
ated by the letters and visits of influential people,
camps hive been chosen or abandoned with more
consideration for the political effect than any sani
tary conditions troops have been designated for
service ut the front not always because they
efficient or well equipped but because they could
get the assignment, and because the Senators of
their States wanted it.
The effect has been harmful; it has been detri-
mental TO discipline, and more breach of it than
anything accomplished by individual officers and
men who have suffered the humiliation of public
reprimand The latest order, which assigns to one
division II sufficient number of regiments to make
two such commands, invites criticism, and will
probably get it. The only credtable feature about
the circumstance is that no one attempts to con-
ceal the reason for sending eighteen regiments to
Porto Rico at n time when there is abundant prom
Use OF peace, and when the American force in that
territory is overwhelmingly superior to that of the
enemy. 1t is something more than farcical to send
these regiments to Porto Rico, and it is insult
to the brave and gallant men who compose them
to acknowledge that the command is made up and
is assigned to duty in Difference to the demands of
State politicians 1t converts the volunteers into
thing for the politicians; it makes them the tool
OF designing and constituencies men, The troops
nave every reason to resent it, and are glad to
see the idea does not find favor in all quarters.
Troops called out to defend their country and
tain its honor should not be disgraced by parading
them III political picnic. If they feel the
has brought nothing to them, and they have not
sufficiently shared in its gorieS, it is no fault of
theirs. They are entitled to the gratitude of this
nation quite as much as the troops which succeed
ed in getting to the front 1t is most inadequate
compensation for their lost opportunities that they
should be dragged across Porto Rico under the ri
diculous guse of invaders, when they themselves
know that they are Offering a military tribute to
the politicians at home, and their march under de-
partmental orders is no more an operation of war
than crumbs thrown with ostentaton from the
heavily laden table constitute hospitality and
this supplemental campaign" might be otherwise
lkened to the smile.
1t is interesting and significant that Vermont has
interposed objection to this cheap scheme Sena-
tor Proctor, who knows something of army meth
DDS, sent this despatch to the Governor of his
State:
81 am convinced that the Vermont regiment will
soon be ordered to Porto Rico. They will probably
sail from New York or Newport News
The reply sent to Secretary Alger was this sue
cinct and pointed comment which should find en-
dorsement in every of the eighteen States, the
troops of which form General Wade's 'dvision:"
Il respectfully protest against sending the Yer
mont troops to Porto Rico unless their services
actually needed there. Those of us who babe our
sons Godspeed when they enlisted in the country's
make, even to life ITSELF and they are now of the
same mind But when the war is over, we feel
that their place will be at home, with their tami
lies, and in their wonted places of business. An
excursion to Porto Rico after the war is over can
not add to their honor nor to the honor of Yer
mont"