The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1899-11-01
A DEMOCRATIC
BOOMERANG.
DastardIy Attack Upon Colonel
Barnett Quickly Reacts.
SOLDIERS REFUTE CHARGES.
officers and Men of the Fighting Tenth and
Self Respecting Citizens Generally De-
nOunce Cowardly Campaign of Charac-
ter Assassination.
Especial Correspondence.)

nOunCe SOWdluly SdInpalSu VI SndtdC'
ter Assassination.
Especial Correspondence.)
Harrisburg, Oct. 31.-One of the most
unjustifable and dastardly attacks ever
made upon a public man has been
sprung by the Democratic state COM
mttee against Lieutenant Colonel
James L. Barnett, the Republican nom-
inee for state treasurer. The man
ayers of the Democratic machine have
had agents at work for weeks upon a
scheme to question the soldierly con-
duct of the gallant officer who returned
from the Philippines in command of
the Fighting Tenth regiment, after
the death of the brave Colonel Haw-
kins. Lieutenant Colonel Barnett, who
was Colonel Hawkins chief supporter
in his regiment, and who was by him
directed to take command of the regi-
ment when he was stricken with ill
ness, has in the closing days of an
exciting political canvass been charged
with cowardice on the field of battle.
In their desperation to score point in
their losing fight the Democratic poll
ticans have over reached themselves,
and the attack upon Colonel Barnett
has proven a boomerang for the De-
mocracy, II will bring him thousands
of votes lie might not have otherwise
gotten. Many Democrats have declar-
ed their supreme contempt for leader
ship which would resort to such des-
picable means to gain a point in a
political campaign.
Officers and men of the Tenth regi-
ment have quickly refuted the slander-
Gus statements circulated about their
commander. Their declarations have
been published in the Harrisburg Tele-
graph, Pittsburg Commercial Gazette
and other papers.
Following are a number of inter-
views and extracts from signed state
ments from members of the Tenth
regiment published in these papers:
SAW HIM UNDER FIRE.
Orderly Charles Pastor, of Harris
burg, who was with the Tenth regi-
ment from the time it left Mt. Gretna
until 1t returned from the Philippines,
among other things says:
q have seen these villainous and
outrageous charges against Lieutenant
Colonel Barnett. They are false in
every respect. No man in the regi-
ment had better opportunity of OBJ
serving Colonel Barnett than l, be-
cause was Colonel Hawkins orderly
and saw the colonel and lieutenant
colonel every day we were in service.
These charges of cowardice against
Lieutenant Colonel Barnett were
sprung for political effect-to defeat
him for state treasurer-but they are
false, outrageOusly and maliciously
false. 1t is a shame to attack the char
acter of so good and true a soldier-a
commander who, so far as | know.
was beloved and trusted by every man
under him."
Did you ever see Colonel Barnett
hiding behind embankments, trees,
rocks or fences. or in any way show
signs of cowardice while the regiment
was in action or neglect his duty in
any particular manner?" he was asked.
"No, never replied Orderly Pastor,
very emphatically Il was appointed
orderly by Colonel Hawkins about two
months after we arrived in the Phil
ippines, and served as such until the
regiment was mustered out of SER
vice. | was at Colonel Hawkins head
quarters all the time, and consequently
saw both officers every day."
DO you know whether there was
any friction or i'll feeling existing be-
tween Colonel Hawkins and Lieutenant
Colonel Barnett?' asked the reporter.
mo, there was none" was the reply.
"On the contrary" he continued. "the
best OF friendship and fellowship ex-
listed between Colonel Hawkins and
Lieutenant Colonel Barnett. The two
officers spent much of their time in
each others company and a bond of
brothelly love existed that could not
be severed. Why, when Colonel Haw-
klns died, Lieutenant Colonel Barnett
was completely unnerved and he broke
down and wept like child.
"At the battle of Guiguinto bridge.
at which place these lying reports say
that Colonel Barnett showed the white
feather by hiding behind a rice dyke.
carried dispatches from Colonel Haw-
kins 90 Lieutenant Colonel Barnett. [
saw Colonel Barnett in the thickest Of
the Eight. He was urging his men to
greater activity and in his eCdaavor
to steady his mel he exposed himself
to a perfect hail If Filipino bullets.
During the engagements at De La
LONE church. Marialo and Malolos l
also carried dispatches from Colonel
Hawkins to Lieutenant Colonel Bar
nett, and in each and every one of
these battles | found Lieutenant Colo
mel Barnett with his battalion. In
every engagement ! saw him where the
bullets flew The thickest, and he looked
every inch the brave soldier he is.
81 can't understand why people
should slander such a man as Colonel
Barnett. 4 braver soldier never wore
Uncle Sans uniform, and a kinder and
more tender hearted man never breath
ed the breath Of life. Never once did
he refuse to grant a reasonable request
to the men under him, and he perform
ed many littic acts Of kindness that
only q soldier and gentleman is ca
pable OF. 1t pains me to think that
members Of the Fighting Tenth
would so far forget themselves as to
slander their superior officer. can't
believe the reports are true. They are
wilful, malicious and outrageous lies!"
ACCUSATIONS PREPOSTEROUS.
Private Frank Wall, of Company A.
Tenth Pennsylvania Volunteers, says:
Il am greatly surprised and morti-
fed to see the slanderOus midnight at
tacks-Aguinald style-upon the mill