New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-11
CONCERNING FAVORITE SONS.

To the Editor Of The Tribune
sir The Tribune is great journal have read
II With pleasure and profit for forty years and
regret to see such article it's patriotic
pages the article OF to-day entitled "A Word
as Favorite Sons" 1t is not only wrong and
misleading. but its doctrine Is false and vicious
have nothing 10 say against favorte sons. in their
proper places IN positions which they are qualified
70 all. I opposed 70 their appointment 10 re-
sponsibl4 places simply because they "favorite
sons"
When the war with Spain was declared there
were enough trained. experienced men in the coun-
try who had military service 70 All every re-
sponsibe place in the Army. Hundreds Of such
men rendered their services 70 the Government
Their applications now file in the War De-
pa-tment Why were their services not accepted
Simply because they counted for little or nothing
IN politics They soldiers. not politicians.
They were fighters, and knew how 70 feed, olothe
snd take care Of men IN camp, in hospital and on
the field Of battle These men were ignored, and
men who knew nothing % such duties, but who
had political pull. who could pack committees and
conventions and secure delegates political FOUNDERS
with influence and money behind them, were ap-
pointed to places which could only be safely and
wisely filed by trained soldiers.
The war we have Just fought with Spain was a
political war and IT has been the worst conducted
OF any war recorded in history. Il We had been
engaged In a war with a first class Power. instead
OF with an old rotten. effete fifth rate nation, we
would have been hurt The State Of Pennsylvania
with It's thoroughly organized and perfectly
equipped State Guard. which IS Offered almost
entirely by old experienced officers, could have
easily vanquished old Spain. Santiago would have
been only skir7nish for the veterans Of the Key
stone state In saying this detract nothing from
the brave and efficient Regulars, who. Ike the
Pennsylvania troops are not composed OF favorite
sons"
Fevorite sons did not night on either side during
1a-a
rnaniers in that world conflict were trained edu-
Gated, efficient soldiers Grant and Lee, sher-
man and johnson, Thomas and Longstreet' sher1-
oa, and jackson were West Pointers. The chiefs
Of bureaus under Stanton were all West Pointers.
AL of Lincoln's most confidential and trusted mill
tarv advisers were West Pointers. How was II
during the recent war Miles and Corbin volun-
teers Eagan a fool. Shafter Falstah and OTIS a
granny With such a combination only the superb
courage and matchess herosm Of our men be
hind the guns saved US from National disaster
and disgrace. Very respectfully,
anu j HALE sYPHER
Washington D c.. Aug. Z, 1899.
RE ax-Congressrnan Syphers premises were
correct there might be less difficulty in accept
ing his conclusions. hasty and harsh as some Of
them seem 10 be. But the premises appear to
us almost wholly unsupported. i was obviously
not possible 10 officer a new army Of 2oOVOO
men with such Regular officers as could safely
be taken from the existing army Of 10000; and
the further selection Of officers for the volun-
teers in the nature OF things. had 10 be made
mainly from men who volunteered These men
were undoubtedly brave and patriotic but what
degree Of really valuable military training they
had may be Judged from the amazing display
at all the camps Of instruction and at the first
Efforts at moving them IN bodies. Mr.. Sypher
would do we'll 10 compare his ideas as 70 the
degree OF military training thus available with
the opinions Of a Regular Army ofhcer ABOUT H.
as detailed in Captain John Bigelow's recent
book OF his experiences with the army at Sant-
ago Furthermore. II volunteers had to be Sc
lected was the President at fault In not ex-
GLIDING men who were eager TO serve merely
because their fathers had served the country?
Finally we do not believe that Mr.. Sypher bim-
sels on reflection, will think II proper that
pop-conbatant. in the ease and safety Of Wash
ington. should publicly stigmauze and ala 70
break down the authority Of a General VINO is IN
actual command Of our soldiers in the field and
IN constant peril