Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-10-25
SOLDIERS AND POLITICS.

There seems to be a fear on the part
of the democratic leaders hat some of
the returning volunteers may not sink
into obscurity as rapidly as the exigen-
cies Of the political situation require.
For some time past the democratic press
! of this state have kept before the people
! the idea that while the soldier BOYS were
personally all right, of course, the cause
for which they fought was a most dis
creditable one While praising the brave
men for their personal courage, they
have placed the seal of their utter con-
demnation upon the issues involved in
the contest in which they participated.
The natural result of this position on
the part of the democratic press is to
rob the volunteers of the prestige Of
fighting for a worthy cause, combining
their credit to the personal valor which
they exhibited on the field of battle, de-
spite the fact that every shot they fred
according to democratic logic-was a
death knell to the liberties of a free and
independent people. If the prestige Of
of personal courage alone, and they are
to receive no credit for the work they
have performed in establishing American
authority in the Philippines, and in con-
%tributing to the growth and grandeur of
the nation, it is little wonder that the
democratic press takes occasion to adj
retire from public notice. This morning
the Butte Miner extends the following
advice to the returned soldiers:
1t is that they do not allow themselves
to be made professional soldiers or
heroes of, but that they will fall into the
ordinary ways of the people and carry
with their consciousness of duty well
performed the knowledge that it was u
duty which every American citizen owes
to his country.
Reduced to plain English the foregoing
means-boys, don't run for office 1t
admits of no other construction, for GER
tainly the Miner does not imagine that
its advice is needed to prevent the brave
men who carried our flag in many a hard
to parade themselves as professional
soldiers or heroes" These men require
no newspaper advice as to their duties
as citizens. They We're good citizens be-
fore they went to ~war-they will be just
as good citizens after their return.
The object of the democratic press is
to discourage soldiers from accepting
nominations for official positions, for
which they may be as we'll qualified as
any man who has not worn the uniform
of Uncle Sam, fearing tha the prestige
acquired in war may strengthen them
before the people and add largely to their
chances for endorsement at the polls. If
there is anything which a democrat real
ly fears it is a blue coat running for
office. If he canno head Off such a pos
sibility by disparaging the cause for
which the soldier fought he will advise
him to Immediately retire from public
view, With his laurels, and 'fall back into
the ordinary ways of the people" without
unnecessary delay. He will be told that
he has done only that duty (which every
American citizen owes to his country >
The fact that a very large proportion of
the people, including democratic editors,
still owe that duty is lost sight of when
such advice is rendered.
Let the democratic press possess their
souls in peace. None of the First Mon
tana volunteers will ever ''allow them
selves to be made professional soldiers OF
heroes off, but the public may from time
to time see fit to show them just as sub
stantial courtesies as it does those who
have fallen ''into the ordinary ways Of
the people, without having worn the
blue-give them a Testimonial of graft,
tude and appreciation in the shape O.
we'll merited official positions of honor
and trust.
Henry Watterson, democratic editor o.