The Savannah morning news., 1902-09-14

From my own knowledge can testify
that they are honorably conducted,
and yet 1 am strongly opposed to
listing and "hazing'' under any cir
cumstances. AS a general thing where
poor cadet is matched against
snobbish rich cadet the sympathy of
the crowd is with the poor or humble
cadet. AS evidence of the fairness of
fist fight, years ago three Southern
cadets 1.-TWO from Georgia and one from
South Carolina) and one from Pennsyl-
vania, went out for a fist-cuff, the
Pennsylvania being matched against
a Georgian. The Yankee proved the
victor, but the Southerner would not
cry enough" and the two seconds got
into fight. Now there was one Yam
kee and three Southerners, and yet the
Yankee had full justice awarded him.
Why? Because they were, honorable
young gentlemen and all became dis
tinguished generals.
I heard two good stories that show
how ready enlisted men are on some
occasions to retort on their superior"
officers. Pat was a private during the
Civil War and wanted a furlough, but
his applications failed of success
through the regular channels, so he
dared to personally appeal to the colo
mel. He told a pitiful story of his wife
and the kids at home who were in
trouble and needed his presence. To
this appeal the colonel simply replied
that he had a letter from Pats wife
who said she did not want him to be
furloughed. But Pat was equal to the
emergency, and as he retired he made
this center shot" at the colonel-"Be-
dad, Colonel, there are two great liars
in this room and I'm not the biggest.
never had a wife or child in me life. .
The other story is of a pompous, con-
ceited naval officer who one day called
out through the speaking tube on the
ship to the engine room: els there a
blithering idiot at the end of this
tuhe?" Being at safe distance the en-
listed man boldly replied-"Not at this
end, sir"
Gen. Andrew Jackson had been ar
raigned for his usurpation of powers
outside the constitution in his control
of affairs in Florida especially the ex-
ecution of Ambrister and Arbuthenot
and Hon. John Tyler of Virginia gave
utterance to this blast against heroes
and hero worship: Your liberties can
not be preserved by the fame of any
man. The triumph of the hero may
swell the pride of your country ele-
tons, give you a character for chiv-
airy and valor; but recollect, I beseech
you, that the sheet-anchor of our safe
ty is the constitution of our country
Say that you ornament these walls
with the trophies of victory, that flags
of the conquered nations wave over
your heads, what avail these symbols
of glory if the constitution be destroy
ed? Why do gentlemen point
to the services of the hero in former
wars? For his. conduct there he has
received a nations gratitude.
From what quarter do you expect your
liberties to be invaded? Not from the
man you despise: against him you are
always on your guard: his example
will not be dangerous. You have more
to fear from a nations favorite: from
him whose path has been a path of
glory, who won your gratitude and
confidence. Against his errors you have
to guard, lest they should grow into
presidents and become in the end the
law of the land. 1t is this considera-
ton and this only, which will induce
me to disapprove the conduct of Gen.
Jackson" Sidney Herbert