The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-05-10
TWO BAD BOYS WHO CAN'T BE
 DECORATED


 TWO BAD BOYS WHO CAN'T BE
 DECORATED.
 Our sister republic, France, which
 usually does things handsomely and
 gracefully, desired so a New York dis
 patch to the Sun states, to confer the decoration of the Legion of Honor upof
 the officers of most exalted rank in tn; American Army and Navy. The French people regard this decoration as a badge of the highest distinction. It has been worn by some of the most chivalrous and distinguished of Frenchmen. It is l bestowed as a reward of valor and of l service to the state France assumed 1 that the officer al the head of the Unit ed States Navy and the officer nominal ly in command of the United States Army possessed qualifications which would entitle them to wear the decora- | ton of the Legion of Honor It was a perfectly natural assumption, but it | seems to have been a mistaken one. To the generous and friendly Gauls bringing badges of distinction for our most famous warriors on land and sea there are crusty and envious Americans who would say: Nav nay, The=e are not our most precious jewels whom you propose to decorate. They are only paste diamonds in a brilliant setting. :" The president. it Is stated. does not en- tertain these views but there are others in official places more critical than Mir Roosevelt, who are outspoken in their opposition
 It is regrettable that our impusive Gallic friends have exposed themselves to an Ungracious rebuff but in the cir cumstances they may flatter themselves that the rebuke was not severer. That they have blundered egregiously is not doubted by part at least of official Washington. For what claims has George Dewey. Admiral of the Navy. to such an honor as the French govern ment proposed to confer upon him? What has he ever done for his country to entitle him to the esteem and ad- miration of Frenchnen and Americans? He served in the United States Navy during the civil conflict but that was mere child's play. It required no cour- age to stand up and fight men of valor and determination bent upon oonsigning their foes to an early grave. It is true Dewey, in 1898, led his ships into the harbor of Manila and destroyed a Span ish fleet But what of that? It was , merely a harmless May day diversion, [ not a great naval triumph. Our gullibe were deceived into the be- lief that the victory justified them in going into mysteries making Dewey an admiral and proclaiming him a hero But congressman are easily deluded. Some of the highest officials in Wash ngton, it is understood men who can see through stone wall; were not fooled They knew all the time that Dewey was not "a phenomenon, as he people and congress vanly ina gin ed It is astonishing that the French should be the victim of hal ucinations on this subject.
 Then there is Miles-Lieut.- Gen. Nel- ion A. Miles, commanding the Army of he United States. How could the friendly Gauls ever have imagined that le had done anything to deserve decoration? Miles fought few years turing the Civil War, but that was nere bagatelle. He got pretty close on number of occasions to men who had 10 fondness for him and did their best 0 remove him from this earthly sphe e. After the civil conflict ended he was tnt to the Far West to carry the blessings of civilization to the noble ed men, to reduce them to the proper tate of humility Miles made a very borough job of it, But he deserves no pecial credit for his achievements h. ian fighting, as everybody knows, is a safe pastime, scarcely more isky than ping-pong or croquet. Of curse, impulsive congressman thought therwise and absurdly imagined that files was worthy of high honors. But o well-informed Frenchman ought to e misled by anything that congress oes. It is sentimental, irresponsible ody, in the estima tion of some of our ficials, which doesn't know a deserv- lg soldier or seatighter when it sees