The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-05-12
ABOUT MIR. ALGER.
Frank Admission Concerning Him
from a Leading Democratic Paper.
BROOKLYN EAGLE

Years ago to Russell A. Alger was denied
promotion in the army and ne was recon-
mended for dismissal on the basis of a
series of reports by the late General Gus
Wesley A. Merritt. The country has never
been allowed to forget that fact. After
ward those proceedings adverse to Mr.. AL
ger were reversed, he was restored to his
rank and was honorably discharged, and
General. Sherman and General Grant sup
ported his restoration, which amounted to
his exoneration.
The country has never been allowed to
remember that second fact by the newspa-
pers which have never let 1t forget the first
fact. The two facts together constitute
General Alser's military history and the net
record rs TO MS credit. Just now General
a few straightforward things in favor of
General Alger. toward whom he has ap-
parently changed his opinion. One news
paper attributes his action to the baneful
influence of Imperialism. Another accuses
him of a desire to displace Miles at the head
of the army.
The discovery or creation of mean mo-
tives for decent action is not a journal
istic accomplishment of which to be proud,
of any public man at whom it is aimed as
at a target. General Alger's action as sec
rotary of war has not been without faults.
1t so highly as General Merritt does. 1t
should be admitted. however. that General
Merritt is likely to know more about war
and Mr.. Alger's administration Of his office
than any newspaper can know. And it is
certain that General Merritt has not
changed his character in a night or sudden
ly become as base as the reasons aScribed to
him by the newspapers 10 which sufficient
reference has been made.
Any one who contends hat the war with
Spain was not an unbroken series of sue
cesSes errs. Any one who contends that
the army establishment was not hampered,
beyon M the ability Of the secretary or the
ward system of organization, well enough
for peace, but inadequate to war, errs. Any
one who contends hat the department did
not in a short space of time marvelously
equip, for practical fighting purposes, an
extraordinary number of men errs. Any
one who contends that general success
errors is also wrong. Any one who forgets
the character of Mr.. Alger for humanity,
honor, virtue and patriotism is unjust.
We think Alger was overplaced. We hard
ly know any man who would not have been
under the circumstances. But he improved
as he went along, and those who would de-
fame him are as out of order as those who
paint him as faultless. The men entitled
TO most respect on any subject. war admin
about II. General Merritt is the most ac-
complished officer in the United States
army. He is as incapable of fattering. Al
ger or Mckinley for gain as he is of abus-
ing them for popularity. His words for the
War Department and for the war secre-
tary are not to be accounted for by any
newspaper theory that he has been moved
by considerations of a corrupt sort. News
papers that do so account for themselves
only by that course--and the account is a
sorry one.
The Eagle has criticised the Department
of War with plainness of speech under the
light Of events from day to day. There is
no other light for a newspaper which makes
prompt comment, in good faith. Such COM
ment is fair in motive, but IL is liable to be
wrong, for want of complete data and any
wrong in 1t Is a matter to regret and TO
right. when complete data are received.
Any other view of newspaper work. makes
a newspaper a dogmatic and bullying ex-
ponent of perpetuated injustice. That is a
role the Eagle would abhor. We would
to 1t persist In an injustice. We presume
General Merritt is that sort of man. We
would be sorry were the Eagle not that
sort of newspaper.