Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1899-05-17
WORDS OF
A PATRIOT.
Gov. Smith Will Not Follow
the Lead Of Lee and Lind.
He Refuses to Put Party Before
Patriotism and Demand the
Return Of Montana
Soldiers.

In contradistinction to the action
of the governors of some of the other
western states. who have sought
noteriety and certainly gained 1t, in
making ridiculous demand for the
immediate return of the volunteers,
thereby casting reflection upon the
patriotism and bravery OF the men
fighting for their country's flag In the
Philippines. Gov. Smith Of this state,
Democrat though he be, and posses
sed of no few Populistic ideas and
differing with the national admins
tratiOn In respect to policy, has
earned the applause Of every patriot
In the state and nation. la the fol-
lowing interview which appeared in
the Helena Independent of few days
ago, the governor reviews the matter
of the return of the volunteers and
his course in the premises.
1T is waste of breath and useless
proposition, said Gov. Smith yes
terday "to attempt to dictate to the
federal authorities as to the return
of the volunteers. | want them re-
turned al soon as possible, but | do
not think 1t would hasten their COM
ing for me to demand instant action
ON the part of the government. 1t
would not he to our advantage. nor
would IL be in accordance with the
wishes of the boys themselves to de-
mand that they be returned at once
II ON the scene of the fighting. |
believe know the sentiment of the
regiment better or at least as well,
as any person in the state, for | re-
ceive letters from both officers and
men as to the situation there. and |
am proud to say that the men them
selves do not desire to return home
as long as the government requires
their services there pending the ar
rival OF the regular troops. This
spirit does the Montana boys credit.
They want to come home, and we
want them home, but until this criti
cal period is passed, they are willing
to remain and do their share of the
fighting, as they have done from the
very first.
Before the fighting began at
Manila, many of the officers and men
OF the regiment signed a petition in
which they urged Inc to take every
action possible with view of secur-
Ing their return at an early date.
This petition was mailed from
Manila before the fighting began, and
was received by me some time after
that eventful day in February when
Aguinaldo attacked our troops before
Manila. Since then have not heard
a word from the regiment asking to
be returned to this country. The
boys were dissa tisfied with garrison
duty, but the moment an active cam
paign opened up they were more than
willing to participate in it. We all
know what they have done. They
have proved themselves fighting men,
and at no time and no place have
they ever shirked "a duty.
Knowing that our soldiers want
ed to come home, | communicated
with the secretary Of war before
received the petition from the men,
with n view to learning when we
could expect them back. Secretary
Alger wrote me February that
transport then about to leave San
Francisco would bring the regiment
back on its return. Ii was on the
night OF February that the fighting
before Manila began. and the situa-
tion was Immediately changed. Soon
after receiving Secretary Alger's let
ter, written Feb. 4, Ireceived another
from him in which he said, in view Of
the turn Of events, il would be i'm.
practical for the government to re-
turn the Montana regiment as soon
az was contemplated, and, oi course,
| had to agree with him there.
Not only have the Montana
soldiers themselves not importuned
me to bring about their discharge at
once, but the people OF Montana
themselves have been singularly
patient. Unlike the governors of
Oregon, South aud North Dakota,
Colorado, Kansas and Nebraska, |
have not received many letters urg.
ing me TO secure the discharge OF the
Montana men; in fact, few, II any,
have received. The relatives and
friends of our brave volunteers, while
hoping only as such may hope for
the early return OF their soldiers,