The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1898-09-17
COL. BRYAN,s REGIMENT.

COL. BRYAN'S REGIMENT.
1t is fact that cannot be gainsaid
that the war just ended was conducted
by the Mckinley administration in Il
narrow, partisan spirit from beginning
to end. Nelson \. Miles. the mead Of the
army. was handicapped because he is
democrat. He was detained in WASH
lngton for a considerable time when his
proper place was in Cuba, and when he
reached there the secretary of war did
everything in his power to make the
American public believe that he was
there in subordinate position. It is
said by a leading Republican that Nc
klnley feared Miles would achieve mill
tary renown in the Spanish island and
thereby become a formidable opponent
for the presidency and get elected like
Grant. Be that as it may, Gen. Miles
did not receive the courtesy due to his
rank from the administration, and when
an investigation is held, as it probably
Will, 1t Will be shown that every OBJ
stacle was thrown in his way to make
his campaign against the Spaniards a
failure.
The military authorities took care
! that William j. Bryan and his regiment.
the Bird Nebraska, would gain no dis
tinction in the war. When he volun-
teered his services in the cause of his
country by making application to Presi-
dent Mckinley to bear arms in any ca
pacity, the little Napoleon, of Canton,
paid no attention to him. He would not
even acknowledge the receipt of Mr..
Bryan's letter. After being appointed
colonel of the regiment by the governor
of bis state, Mr. Bryan Immediately De-
came target for abuse and mlsrepre-
sentation by the Mckinley press of the
country. He was called demagogue
and said to have Joined the army for DO
litical effect. He was severely criticized
because in speech in Omaha he oppos-
ed land grabbing in the interest of COM
merce and stood by the pledge made by
the government regarding the indie
pendence of Cuba. From the day he en-
tered the army rs Il patriotic American,
the plutocratic press has lost no oppor-
tunity to question his motives and belit-
tie him in every way, and yet William
j. Bryan is today, as he was six months
ago, the idol of half the American peo-
pie.
1t is now said that his regiment will
NOT lint will
camp until Alger sees fit to send II
home.
The Republican politicians fear the SUI
perb eloqueace Of Mr.. Bryan in the an
preaching campaign and take this meth
cd of muzz!:ng him. Col. Bryan must
remain in his camp in Florida till
election is over and then he can come
home, but not till then.
The gallant Nebraskan has gained the
love and esteem of his men, and is a
model soldier. He has taken the best
care of them, with the gratifying result
that only one death has occurred under
his command. A Florida paper saws
that when the young soldier closed his
belonged-by the side of the youth who
had committed himself to his keeping.
and whose life was as truly sacrificed
upon the altar of his country as if he
had laid it down in the storm and stress
of BATTLE"
That was in striking contrast with the
conduct Of the officers in the camp who
owed their appointments to political in
f1uences. The same paper relates that
they may be found any night in the
week lined up in solid array against tn,
bar of Bay street, or disporting them
selves i'll manner quite as offensive in
resorts even more questionable in
character The officer of this type may
be described as an ornamental nuisance,
who sits up late, rises later, and is gen
orally so much under the influence Of
drink as to Ee ctad to the call of duty.
Some Of the regimental surgeons are
tarred with the same doubtful stick, and
the sooner their names are published
the sooner such worthless superhuities
are drummed out of the service-the bet
ter for all concerned"
William J. Bryan's character in war
as we'll as in peace is above reproach.
He is an exemplary citizen both in pub
lie and private life and is just the kind
of man that the rank and file of the
American people are proud of. The
plutocracy fear him. but the Democracy
admire him and will not rest satisfied
until he occupies the highest position In
their gift to besiow-that of president
of the greatest republic on earth.
Judge Thomas NJ. Cooley, the noted
jurist died at his home in Ann Arbor.
Mich, last Monday.