The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-01-19
Chief Justice DOster and Gov.
Stanley Lock Horns.
One Says War Is Wrong, the
Other That 1t Is Right.
WARNER KEEPS OUT.
Missouri Orator Refuses to
Take Part in Controversy.
Medals Are Presented to Mem
bers of Twentieth Kansas.

At the Auditorium last night the sur
viving members of the Twentieth KAN
sas who live in or near Topeka assem-
bled to receive medals of honor cast
from captured Spanish cannon
Long before the time for the cere-
monies to begin the first floor was filled
and when the chairman raped for order
the gallery was partly filed On the
stage sat the veterans of the war Of
'ss The Twenty third regiment band
played stirring military airs. At the
very first notes of THE Star Spangled
Banner every ex-Twentieth Kansas
man was on his feet standing at atten-
ton. All remained standing until the
piece was ended. Then George Wash
ington Jackson, a veteran of the Twen-
ty-third regiment, decided upon a neat
bit OF diplomacy" He distributed a
piece to his musicians and then an
piece entitled THE Twentieth Kansas
Crossing the Bagbag-" The name print
ed at the top of the music was me
Fall of Jericho but the audience oi1
not know the difference and supposed
the crash of cymbals meant to repre-
sent the diving of the soldiers
Fitting around in uniforms were mil
ftiamen and members of the Topeka
City Troop who made more of a stir
than the real veterans on the stage
The 1dodocs followed the band with
songs and Wll1am Green introduced
the chairman. He said.
I'VE have, in view Of the glorious
achievements and national reputation
of that famous regiment Of Kansas SOL
diers, deemed it fitting and right that
these ceremonies should be of such a
character as to inspire and perpetuate
that spirit of patriotism which ami
mated those valiant soldiers in the per-
formance Of their duties in the Philip
pines. With that end in view, we nave
selected men who shall participate &C
lively in these ceremonies, who repre-
sent the highest type OF character
citizenship and patriotism in the selec-
ton OF gentleman as chairman OF this
meeting we have been fortunate in Sc
curing one who possesses these quali1-
cations in marked degree. one VINO
himself has fought under the stars and
stripes in the dark days of our civil
war. One whose son is now doing duty
with his regiment beyond the Pacific
deem it a great honor to be permitted
to enjoy the privilege of presenting TO
you the presiding officer of the evening,
the chief justice Of the state OF Kansas
the Hon Frank Doster."
Judge Doster commenced the "argu-
ment'' of the evening. He spoke OF the
whose deeds have reburnished the
arms Of Kansas. the soldier loving, sol
der sending state of the union" Then
he made the challenge by saying, From
the bottom Of my heart I hate war be-
cause of it's hardships and cruelty, the
loss Of moral tone that always follows
and for a time remains as a sequence
of civil strife. 1 hate it because there
has been no war ever fought that it
could not be said that the Worthier of
the cornbatants was not to some extent
in the wrong, but the man who from
conviction takes up arms even on the
wrong side has my profound respect.
That which cements the country IS not
the railways and telegraph but that
purple trail Of soldiers blood from Lex
fngton to Buena Vista. onward to Luzon
and from the victorious fleets on the
Great Lakes to Santiago"
Governor Stanley was the next speak
err He commenced the argument by
saying: Il do not agree with Judge
Doster and shall enter a dissenting opin-
ion. I do not like to assent to the idea
that war is wrong. If it is we have no
right to glory over the victories of the
has as earnestly proclaimed civilization
as the minister. The soldier has been
the messenger Of peace, the peace that
abides The soldier is a factor of our
civilization,
Department Commander w. w. Mar
tin of Fort Scott followed and made his
argument by saying. There never has
been a. great advance in civilization or
the cause of humanity that was not
bought by precious lives. None Of the
great achievements could have been
established without gore
Major William Warner of Kansas
the G. "A. R., was the next speaker. He
said: Il viii not take part in this con
troversy but wars of civilization live in
song and story. The Romans still sing
how Horatio held the bridge and the