The San Francisco call., 1899-12-22
NO RECOMPENSE
FOR SACRIFICE
TO PATRIOTISM
Government Roasted
by General McCook.

Staying at the Palace Hotel. where he
arrived last evening from Colorado. is a
gentleman who has done more than a
little IN making American history. His
name is General r. NJ. McCook. and his
present visit 10 this city. so he says. is
taken with the intention OF finding out II
MS rheumatism. from which disease he is
q constant sufferer. will be benefited by
The climate OF the coast.
General McCook is now a very old man.
He himself gives his age as 80. and dur
ing q life that has been full OF participa-
tion In great events he has witnessed
many thrilling occurrences that make
him, when he is in the vein. raconteur
well worth listening 10.
Born on a frontier farm in Indiana. he
received his first education in little log
EchOolhouse. attending its sessions of and
on as his duties on the farm would per-
INIT. As soon as he had acquired a fair
knowledge OF the rule OF three he left the
parental roof and started out 10 make his
own way in the world and 10 pick up the
balance cf his knowledge as he went
along.
since then he has been soldier. states
man. diplomat and business magnate. and
has even added journalism TO mis- many
other callings. Now, IN his old age, he
rests content with the simple title OF mil
nOn6ire, travelling from place 10 place, as
his fancy dictates and enjoying the so
numbered every distinguished living man
of this country and Europe.
lie has been the intimate OF such men
as Grant, Lincoln. Seward. Custer. Ere
mont and the elder Vanderbilt. and his
"reminiscences OF these famous persons are
replete with humor and interest.
Entering the civil war as subordinate
officer IN an Indiana regiment. he came
ont % the struggle with tne rank OF a
brigadier general OF volunteers. and was
appointed 10 commission In the regular
H. II.
20 undertake a mission from President
Johnson 10 the Hawaiian Islands that had
Tor It's object the purchase OF the terri
tory that has lately become ours by an
neNstion. His mission was not accom-
Pushed owing 70 the opposition IL encoun-
tered both from our own Senate and the
islanders; but IL resulted in the famous
treaty OF reciprocity. from which this
country reaped so much advantage. After
rhaf he was twice Governor Of the Terri
tory OF Colorado and wRs twice offered
Cabinet positions under different admins
trations. which he refused.
General McCook was a warm personal
friend and strong admirer OF the late
General Lawton. who had served under
him in the Civil War. He speaks IN the
highest terms Of the bravery and per-
sonal qualities OF the dead leader, and is
very bitter on the attitude that the
United States maintains toward the fami-
lies OF those OF her soldiers and sailors
who are slain In battle.
1t iE an outrage. said General Nc
Cook last evening. that the widows and
orphans OF the men who give up their
lives for their country should be placed
in the position OF mendicants, dependent
on private charity for the means 10 live.
NO man In either the army or navy can
aTnRSs even a subsistence 10 leave his
family unless he is a rascal or IL comes
80 him by Inheritance. Dewey comes
home and is made the object OF public
bounty. and when he uses the goods given
him as he sees IT he is vili1ed by the
entire country. General Lawton. than
whom no finer soldier ever lived. dies
in discharge of his duty and his family
have 10 be taken care OF by private sub
scripuOn. No other country on earth
treats the families OF it's heroes in this
manner. and IL Is a shame and an out
rage that a government as powerful and
wealthy as this one cannot make some
decent provision for the men who die TO
maintain st."