Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-06-20
A JUSTIFIED CRITICISM
.,.o Methods by which tho Volunteer
! Army is Being Oficered.


Twins w. Va, June 15.-The Inter-
.,,,+ain of Elkins, undertakes 10
.tfy certain army appointments, and
ns,king of the critics and criti-
- dervered itself recently in the fol-
y manner: THE fellows who are
,.,,;nq the loudest because the sons
y aistiuguished men and political
.-ters are getting the appointments
iioutenants and captains in the vol
..osr army, are not the fellows who
.r,nid fight even if they had the COM
.nds They are simply stay-at-home
.;.cs who, like the copperheads of
LEX strike in the rear and defame
W. men who are willing to go to the
front att. u.;o,o =, wal, nc
.,e editor of the Inter-Mountain, is
sonrblican, whose party loyalty would
-" ar could not be questioned, and
n r.ho has so far supported the admin
'.,ration in everything it has done.
Ending its war policies, and who is
s.in ready and willing to support it,
n1 do everything that will contribute
- the best volunteer army that the
sos, military talent in this country will
prn5nce But for this government to
e far prostitute its legal rights and
-oili.arv duties in the manner of organ
.7ing an army, and to force the brave,
Gallant defenders of this country to
sgbt under officers who have been
,brust upOn them, not by any military
stness. examination or merit, but SIM
mir because they are the sens Of some
bodv. have money CT political influence
as their only qualifications, is beyond
understanding and little less than an
mirage. Some, of whom l happen to
know would not even accept a sinecure
nosi,ion without an absolute guarantee
rom all danger. There are hundreds
Of true, brave, patriotic volunteers we'll
able to fill these places (too noble to
moss their claims as those less wOr-
Inv do, ready and willing to submit
themselves TO competitive eXamina
Mons. backed by their observation and
experience, and then the army will be
made I'D and differed as it should be,
with experience, patriotism and merit
as the basis. Surely it is not true that
free America, with her boosted free
dom, has reached point in her his
tory where merit is to be cast aside in
her military affairs and our army is
10 be Differed by men and boys of
mere accidental birth, money, pulls
and influences, and political henchmen
who could not possibly organize a
company where they are known on ac-
count of their unfitness. If this Is the
course to be pursued in organizing our
army, as much as l would deprecate
such a calamity, | am almost forced to
the conclusion that the sooner we get
country.
If some true patriot and lover Of the
army dare question these abominaple
methods in our military affairs, some
paper like the Inter Mountain. with a
string to it, and a Punch and Judy man
to manipulate it, and a conscientious
patriotic criticism is answered or at
tempted to be answered, with the above
indecent fling, and not the editors
sentiments either, but words that he
is forced to use by those who own
him. Oh, consistency, thou art jewel.
Well. we really pity, rather than con-
denim, the position of the editor of the
Inter- Mountain in this matter.
Who does not already know that this
shameful process has become so Cb-
h01ous and has created such a stencil
at Washington, that Senator Hawley
has served notice on the administra-
ton and country that if any more such
nominations are sent to the United
States Senate they will not be con-
frmed without sharp opposition. Is
Senator Hawley 'copperhead?" Is he
a man who is afraid to go to the front?
Il is such noble men as Senator Haw-
ley that will save the American army
if there are only enough of them. Let
Us have an army of patriots, differed
with men Of merit, and not men who
are hunting sinecure places with good
pay and security from danger. This,
insist is a duty we owe to the coun-
NY, to ourselves and the brave boys
in the field, who have and are willing
10 face all the dangers and vicissitudes
OF war | am one that is always ready
10 take off my hat to true merit, and
ii necessary to be servile to it, but any
other qualifications or considerations
In time Of war, in my judgment, should
be relegated to the background.
1t too often happens in these latter
days, when the brave boys who de-
Tended the flag during the nation S
peril. call upon those authorized, to
conduct the nations business at the
National Capitol, and after complying
with all requested formalities, are met
with the courtesy? Not in," Cant be
seen," Call again tomorrow" and
similar greetings.
God Of our Fathers be with us yet,
Lest We forget, lest we forget"
A