The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-07-04
SANTIAGO DAY At OMAHA.
Continued From Page One.


vigorous leadership and no lack OF faith
fui and arduous service In tho ranks TIE
only trouble has been our numbers nave
not been great enough TO overwheim the
insurgents and crush the rebellion
Where Is the fault. IL fault there be?
What is the public feeling within the past
weeks Tie American people have not
changed their spirit or purpose. They
have fully accepted the responsibilities
which came with the war of last year.
and they accept them now. They have
no thought Of shrinking from the obiiga-
tons which have fallen upon them. In
stead OF abandoning this work. they are
the more determined TO proceed with II.
and their feeling is not one of hesitation
and doubt. but rather one OF impatience
to accomplish Immediate and conclusive
results. Hence comes the conclusion that
the president shall call out the full maxi
mum Of volunteers. with the hope OF
crushing the revolt In short and decis-
I've campaign. This il natural impulse.
and II deserves to be treated in frank
and candid manner. What then. WAS the
situationY ] am not here TO criticize.
Each branch of the government 10 re-
sponsibie for It's own action. But 1t 10
only fair to state facts and to show pre-
ciseIy what the president had to meet
mot only did the opposition by delay
In the ratification of the treaty encour-
age the insurrection. but the emascuiated
army bill crippled the power OF suppress
ing II. The president WAS compelled at
the same time to face revolt and face
q practical reconstruction OF the army.
Under the statute. when the treaty OF
peace was ratified. not only was every
volunteer entitled to be discharged. but
every regular above n 500 was required to
be mustered out The president, then,
was confronted in the midst OF the in
surrection with the problem of relieving
I'm he
being compelled to substitute new levies.
He stood face to face with the difficulty
In the presence OF force. already too
small. of Withdrawing more than 1900
trained and disciplined men In the fight
Ing line while the campaign was at Its
height. and filling then places with new
forces.
Had the volunteers exercised their
right OF immediate discharge our army
would have been seriously crippled. and
disastrous results might have followed
But to their undying honor be II said,
they made answer which reflects fmmor-
tai glory upon the American citizen sol
dier: We are entitled 10 be discharged.
We want TO return TO our homes and
families; but nevertheless We will stay
here and fight on and we Will not leave
our posts until the government is ready
to put others In our places
'Tt was a magnificent exhibition OF the
cans. Nebraska holds a high place on
that iilustrious roll OF honor. Two days
ago the Nebraska regiment which has been
at tho front and shared in the triumphs
and glories Of the campaign sailed from
Manila for home. In a few weeks they
will be here 20 receive your welcome and
To wear the well-carned laureis OF their
faithful and intrepid deeds. They were
entitled 10 come in March. but with that
noble and chlvalrous spirit which has ever
distinguished the American soldier. they
declared that they would bold their posts
on the lighting line until the government
was ready 10 make Their places good with
equally true fighters. and now they come
only when others are there and on the way
20 carry the flag OF the country which
they have 50 bravey upheld.
THE foresight and care of the president
permitted this TO be done without any
detriment He nigh; have called for vol
unteers. many now ask him 10 do. so
he might have accepted the great numbers
who would have fastened TO respond 10
that call. He might have sent these I'M
disciplined and unacciimated levies. 10 be
come the prey OF sickness and disease, but
he dsd wiser and surer thing. Author
fZed by the army bell. he practically or
ganixe a new army, he directed. inmedl-
atsiy upon the passage Of the bill and on
the adjournment Of congress, that the
work OF recruiting should be carefully
undertaken. The recruits enrolled have
numbered more than thousand a week.
81 per cent. OF all who have applied have
been rejected because falling short Of the
standard fully 20 per cent. Of those accept
Ell saw service In the Spanish war OF last
year. these recruits. with the re-euliss-
ments. number all told about 81 90. so tina,
now. when many loyal and earnest people.
without having understood what has been
going on, are asking that volunteers may
he called cut 10 crush the Instruction
they awake 10 find that the army has been
quietly reconstructed. and that instead OF
being obliged to raise and recruit raw
troops the government has been able TO
give Otis from rs 90 20 taoe Of the best
trained soldiers ia the world With such
force Of sssch a quality N his command
when the RAINY season Is over and the
sisatiny can be resumed again. the earnest
desire fer a short. sharp and decisive cam
rasgn Will he fully realized
Gen. Henderson introduced Gen. Wheel
er who spoke Of the events AT Santiago.