Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1899-11-09
Not Much imperialism There,

MOI MuCH InpoTlaloH iHo'O'
However high an estimate had been
placed upon the manly qualities OF the
Twentieth Kansas, II is no doubt tell.
ing the truth to say that those who
mingled with the members OF the regi-
ment as they stopped here on their
way to Topeka, we're very happily dis
appointed In their modest and manly
appearance. Though quite young
many Of them, they we're as fine a lot
of men IN physical appearance as are
ever seen together unless especially
picked with the greatest care, and
their intelligence compared we'll with
other qualities, BY conversation with
the men one would lind them to be
frequently men Of good education and
almost always Of good general infor'
nation. The next thing to be discov
cred was the fact that they were "sore"
and dlsgusted with the army and army
life. While they woul not often con-
denim their officers as worse than the
average, II was plain there was not
cordlality between them and their Of
Acers. They spoke best words for Ed
Little of any AZ u man, and the feeling
was general that he had been shame
fully mlstreated. Some said he had
not the soldierly characteristics that
show with grandeur on dress parade,
but he was cool and courageous under
fire. OF Funston they usually spoke
well as q commander, but there was
little love for him as a man. OF Met
calf who was promoted over Little by
political manipulation, they did not
speak In high terms either as u com
mander or as a man. =
But the general tone of their CONVEX
sation was not to complain OF their
officers, (although as one fellow, a
school teacher, said, "all the officers
got more praise than they deserved,)
but was Of condemnation to a military
organization M one of tyrany and des-
potlsm, repugnant ana abhOrrent 10
any man Of split or even any one who
is not willing TO be a slave. And we
must say that for this manifestation of
manly American spirit, we admire the
Twentieth Kansas more than for any
Of their achievements in the field.
When at the California town on their
way home they threatened to blanket
Col, Metcalf for naughty and snobbish
discrimination, they only showed their
American breeding and that American
Institutions are safe In such hands.
1t Is In this that the merit Of the volun-
teer army lies for republic. In time
Of great national peril they are willing
to {, rego some Of their prerogatives Of
citizenship for time, for the common
good, but is only under such circum-
stances they will endure the abject de-
basement of personal manhood re-
quired in military organization.
Great complaint has been made
against Otis for keeping the volunteers
on the firing line while the regulars
were laying around camp on police
duty. 1t ia easily explained. 1t was
to keep down mutiny and insubordina-
ton. The Minnesota regiment did al
most mutiny while on police duty in
Manila. But there ia no danger Of a
muhny among the regulars. When q
person enters that service he leaves all
individual manhood behind. He be-
comes an educated animal. lie per-
forms merely like trained dog at a
show and is not allowed to speak to
his superior. He Is as much subject Ia
his superiors as IL he were a convict In
a pennitentiary, has little better treat
ment and not'much more hope of ad-
vancement, He is slave In all the
word means.
A standing army is therefore the
best educational instrument as we'll aS
the mosS powerful weapon for despo-
tism and the nessary correlative OF I'M.
perialism. From what we gathered
from those we talked with we feel sure
the cause of Imperialism will gain
small support from the Twentieth
Kansas. They say we must maintain
our national dignity in the eyes of the
world, but have no business with this
expansion and imperiaistic propo