Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-05-06
EIGHTEEN PAGES,
SUNDAY. MAY 6, 1900.
M'KINLEY AND THE DAKOTA
REGIMENT.

The mOQ0n In the United states SEN
ate to strike from the record the let7
tiers written by Governor Lee. of South
Dakota, and by Senator Pettigrew, of
the same State demanding the return
3 OF the Dakota regiment from the Phi
llppines, will serve one good purpose
a 1t will direct attention to the very per-
tinent statement of facts in those let
terra. The regiment in question volun-
( teered for the war with Spain;was sent
to the Philippines and after the treaty
. of Paris was Signed, and the war with
Spain formally ended. was retained and
forced to serve against the Filiplnos
without shadow of authority.
The regiment had In its ranks many
OF the most intelligent young men of
the State and they were not slow to see
4 the transgression of their rights in this
q had not volunteered. In their letters
home this feeling was expressed, some
what forcibly be it said, as well as their
disgust with the war itself. The de-
anRnd OF the Governor and Senator for
the recall OF the regiment followed as
4 result.
In his letter to President Mckinley
Governor Lee makes this singing in
die lnent OF the war, after pointing out
that Congress had not declared war
and that the President had no power to
do so:
.'The course of the constituted au-
thorities OF the United States is re-
garded as an effort to subjugate an
alien race to the authority OF the Uni
ted States, a course which Is repug-
; ua1ft TO the fundamental principles r
this Government, a violation OF the
Declaration Of Independence, q repudia-
ton of the theory upon which we en-
gagged in a war with Spain. and utterly
N inconsistent with your Excelency's
splendid announcement respecting the
& policy to be pursued toward Cuba, viz,
s. that forcible annexation cannot be
thought of. because under our code Of
morals that would be criminal agrees
5 sion"
As rnkind as was this cut, It was
/ Eoneyed adulation compared to the fol-
lowing from Senator Pettigrew's letter:
n 7 feel that the blood of the South
Dakota boys sacrificed in that con-
test must be laid at the door of your
Administration and that impartial his
y
dishonored of rulers in all time. Your
fort to subjugate these people by force
indicated by your declaration of war
ssaBainst them on the 21st of last De-
As cember, IS the International crime OF
N The century--in fact, must be classed as
among the greatest OF international
grimes OF ell centuries. cannot remain
g ilefit, under these circumstances and
81 Al}ow the South Dakota troops to be
Used in this perfidions work.
No wonder the administration
spokesman in the Senate do not want
s tiese letters TO appear In the Congress
sfona1 Records There is too plain a
tement of bald truths. Here there is
the very flower OF the brusque western
& fashion OF calling a spade spade The
4 free distribution OF such sentiments
broad cast would necessitate no end of
explanation by administration spell
binders this fall.
= ttinately, however, the Congress
s.5lonal Record is not the only medium
lfrough which the sovereign voter may
s be reached. and win have ample OBJ
{ nortunity to know the facts as TO this
Erea test OF international crimes" before
i,e year Is out. 1t 1t. thus. matter of
IN al ference whether the letters in
tJon get an the Record or not. The
Incl dent nevertheless, shows how SEN
fye gnd tImorous our. brawling i'm
sts are become.
81 q ----.------------.--.---
2hs sesns 70 be holding the bot