Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1898-10-27
Alder and Bryan.

Secretary Ayers statement, given to
the press on Wednesday, concerning
Col. VIM. J. Bryan, of the Third Ne
braska Regiment, will, we trust, allay
the anxiety of certain more or less mali
cious busybodieS who have interested
themselves in the premises OF late. Gen.
Alger informs the country to the effect
that Col. Bryan has not been refused a
leave of absence; has not been made the
victim of any hostile discrimination;
for the very good and conclusive reason
that he has never applied for the indul-
gence or in any other Way solicited favor
at the governments hands. The fact
seems to be that Col. Bryan has studi-
diously avoided the least appearance OF
solicitation. He has simply stood by
the consequences of his own act, and
purposes TO maintain that mainly and
patriotic attitude. Apparently he ac-
cepts the logic of the situation. Hav-
ing offered his service to the govern
ment, he is patiently and patriotically
awaiting the governments pleasure III
his case.
1t seems a good time to say that a
great many newspapers and persons
have been making a sorry spectacle of
themselves in connection with Mr..
Bryan. When he volunteered to organ
ize regiment for the war with Spain,
the gold organs denounced him as a
charlatan and a poseur. 1t was all right
enough for Col. Roosevelt to do the
same thing. In the eyes of the Republi'
can and assistant Republican organs,
Roosevelt was hero and a patriot
Bryan was an impudent and pretentlOus
mountebank. " nile in Roosevelt's case
it was pure and noble patriotism. in
Rryan's case it was vulgar ostentation
and Cheap John demagogy. Nothing
that Bryan did was acceptable. Every
thing that Roosevelt did was noble,
nigh minded and heroic. Every poor
little penny-a-liner had his fling at
Bryan. Every Pharisee and Mug Wump
burned his bargain counter incense be
fore Roosevelt.
We are not speaking in disparagement
of Roosevelt. We are simply lllustrat-
ing a situation.
Now comes the Secretary of War,
however to put afnai and unansWera
BILE quletus on the most vicious of ali
the caclzle about Bryan-the insinuation
that BRA having posed for political
effect as foaming warrior, is secretly
eudeavoring to obtain preferment from
the department, in order that he may
return to private life and exploit his
military service for paltry party ends
General Alger declares that Col. Bryan
has done nothing of the sort. He tells
US that Col. Bryan has asked for moth
ing, suggested nothing. He leaves US
no alternative save that of concluding
that Byran has comported himself as
modest, unselfish, high minded gentle
nj H. t0 oil
feel 1.-THE horde Of singing insects
that have attacked this noble prey. A
party opponent, possible antagonist
for the finest prize within human reach,
Gen. Alger spontaneously pays tribute
to chivalry and truth. and puts Col.
Bryan in the creditable and patriotic
place he has right to occupy.
1t is perhaps too much to expect that
this announcement will stop the bark
ing of the mongrel pack at Col. Bryan's
heels, But, in the eyes of all honest
and upright men, it will set up the
claims of justice, and that, we fancy, is
quite enough for Col. Bryan and his
friends Washington Post.
Soldier Fatally Shot.
Winchester. Va, Oct. 24.-Raymond
Shelley, Of this city, private in Com
pany A, Second Virginia Regiment,
was shot and almost instantly killed to,
night at Strasburg, by comrade, Mu
stefan Harry NJ. Henry, of the same
company. Young Shelley had left Win
chester late this evening for Woodstock
with three comrades, after spending
twenty-four hours leave of absence at
their homes.
They drove to Strasburg and were to
take the train for Woodstock where the
company re assembled yesterday after
q thirty days furlough While waiting
for the train, Shelley and his compan-
ions amused themselves in examining IL
revolver and While Henry had his finger
on the trigger it suddenly exploded.
The ball struck to the right of Shelley
nose just below the eye and entered the
brain. Shelley died almost instantly.
The body was prepared for burial and
will arrive in this city Al midnight TO-
night. AT a late hour tonight Henry
had not been arrested.
This is the fifth death i q Company A,
of members from Winchester, the last
being that of Private G. NJ. Dean who
was found dead On the streets a week
ago.
Shelley was twenty-three Years of age
and was unmarried. He is survived =
by a widowed mother.
Savannah, Ga, Oct. 24.-Col VIM. j 4. ;
Bryan, who is here with his regiment,
he Third Nebraska Volunteers as a
part Of Lees Corps, is i'll at the De Soto
n nfn1 q ic y,ff fa uic