The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-31
WHEELER'S FRIENDS AROUSED.
Criticism of His Motives Denounced,
as Unjust.


rs Unjust.
The publication in a New York paper
yesterday of a despatch from Washington
in which was contained an attack upon
the motives which prompted General
Wheeler to go to the Philippines has
aroused the friends OF the general and
caused them to make certain statements
which they feel are fully justifab!e
The despatch referred to says that
prominent Democrat from Colbert County.
Alabama. who is in this city now. says
that the constituents Of General Wheeler
are not feeling the mos friendly sentiment
toward him and that they will make it
their business to defeat him for re-elec-
ton to Congress. The prominent Demo-
Crat" alleges that the reason for this feel
ing is the trip which the general made to
the Philippines in the face of the fact that
the voters who sent him to Congress were
against all manner and form of what they
call Imperialism in the retention of the
Philippine Islands.
Col ID. L. Carter. of Madison County.
Alabama is quoted in the despatch as
saying that the people of General Wheel
er's district was as q uniJ in their oppo-
sition. and that no one there would dare
didate for Congress; that he was openly
charged with crawling at the feet of the
Administration when he had promised to
remain in Washington and attend to the
office to which he had been elected. The
statement goes on to say that there is
probability that he will not only lose his
prestige with his party, but that the Presi-
dent will also turn down his latest ambi-
tions, and that he will find himself left
L.. 4
been made to attack his record for bravery
on the field but the idea seems to be sim
ply to question his motives. attributing
them TO personal ACKNOWLEDGEMENT rather
than patriotic valor.
To these allegations the friends of Cen
eral Wheeler assert that for thirty-five
years he has invariably exhibited the most
earnest desire to cement the bonds be-
tween the \ )rth and the South: that the
records in Washington will show that dur
ing the last thirty years, whenever there
was the leest sign of a war cloud in the
air. he was ever alert to tender his SER
vices as a soldier in the Army of the
United States. Particularly was he con-
spicuous for this at a time when the
law forbade his receiving a commission on
account of his having served in the Con-
federate army, and it was then that he
wished to enter the ranks as a private
StehlHS no nlS0er efnOiuUent imam the
privilege of fighting for his country. They
say that when the insure ton broke out
in the Philippines there was an interval
of ten months before the Opening of Con-
| gress, and that General Wheeler realized
that this would be his last opportunity to
show his sincerity for the complete efface-
ment Of the antagonisms of former days
He went to the Philippines with this mo-
tive uppermost in his mind. sought the
firing line, and remained there until the
last organized battalion of the enemy had
been dispersed. He had understood that
he was to be ordered back to Washington
in time for the opening of Congress, but
the orders were delayed. When they finally
came he hastened to obey them, and ar
rived here only to find that his resigna ton,
submitted in November. had not been ac-
cepted. and that his seat had been lost to
him. Finally. it Is averred by his firm
friends, that the two Alabama men who
are so severe, probably do not know that
General Wheeler remained in Washington
during all of last winter and spring, work
ing diligently for his constituents; that
by his earnest efforts he secured much
valuable legislation for his district; that
he has at all times employed clerks in
Washington to attend to correspondence
and department business and that the
Senators and other Congressman from
Alabama voluntarily attended to his dis
trict matters in regard to legislation.
which means the affairs Of his district
have been cared for as wen as those OF
other districts. II must also be remem-
bered. they say, that during his entire
career in Congress he has never absented
himself for pleasure or for personal bust
ness. and that to criticise his motives.
or subject him to censure is. in the light
of the facts. unkind in the extreme. a fact
which he feels most keenly.