The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-07-13
Are Manufacturing History.

lHE pohtlcdl punt against d pOlltiCdA
opponent, Democratic and Populist pc
riodicals do not permit themselves to be
hampered by facts; and calmly misrep
resent matters of recent history, IA
miliar to every reader Of the daily news
papers. The Miners Magazine, publish
ed at Denver, Col, is edited by Edward
Boyce. the instigator and apoiogist OF
the dynamite outrages in the Occur
d'Alenes. Naturally Boyce is bitterly
hostile to the administration. To score
a point against the Republican national
ticket, he proceeds to manufacture some
history. as follows:
Capt O'Neill was the originator Of
the Rough Riders, and when his name
was mentioned in connection with the
organization of the regiment thousands
of hardy miners and cowboys volun
teered, for the name Of Buckley O'Neill
sent thrill of joy through them. for
they knew that no Drawer officer would
set foot on Cuban shores than the fear
less, kind-hearted mayor of Prescott.
But Capt. O'Neill was not to enjoy the
fruits of his labor, for he was Popu
list. and it would not do for the Re-
puhlicans to allow him to achieve honor
on the field of battle. so Teddy Roose-
welt was out of a soft job and like a
spoiled schoolboy who is pampered by
his teacher, he held up his hand and
asked to be appointed colonel of the
Rough Riders, which was granted. and
O'Neill was offered the commission Of
first lieutenant. which he declined.
When 1t became known that O'Neill
would not be colonel of the regiment,
the men began to become dissatisfied,
and hundreds who volunteered refused
to go on that account. Then, in order
to overcome this obstacle. O'Neill was
beseeched to accept the office of cap
tain. leaving the New York bankers
man In the office of colonel"
This Characteristic effusion Is worthy
of notice because ii is probably one of
a long series of like articles, TO be ex
pected during the present campaign,
distortng facts of recent history. with
cheerful reliance upon the ignorance of
readers to be found nowhere save in
Populistic publication.
OF course every intelligent newspaper
reader knows that Col. Wood now gov
ernor general of Cuba, was the first
colonel of the Rough Riders. having
been selected for that position at the
earnest request OF Mr.. Roosevelt; that
the latter resigned his position as as
sistant secretary Of the navy to accept
the lieutenant coIoneley of the regl-
ment; that both Wood and Roosevelt
were commissioned before a single man
was enlisted for the regiment: that they
personally recruited the regiment, and
that SO far from there having been any
difficulty in securing the men necessary,
the regiment was made by a system of
rigid selections from the thousands who
were fdEft 10 Jun tHai tttSoIatfu corps.
The gallant O Neil, the warm admirer
and personal friend OF Gov. Roosevelt.
was not the man who required 10 b.
bribed with a military title TO do his
hghtlng He would have been In the
Rough Riders IL he had had to 60 as
private. He was personally selected by
the Arizona companies. and there never
was better selection.
The Miners Magazine. in addition 70
incorporating IN every detail facts OF
familiar recent history. maligns the
dead and lIbels the living In It's attempt
10 score a point.