The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1906-12-27

Prssidsnf Roossgsitis letter % Rear
Admiral Thous9 commanding him for
his stand In the matter Of the damage
suit OF 4 sailor who was excluded from
a public place OF entertainment be-
cause Of his uniform. and inciosinz a
check for 500 toward tbs expenses OF
the suit calls rensvsd attention 70 the
discussion which is going on In b
country over the attitude manifested
toward enlisted men IN tbs uniform or
the United States When soldiers or
sailors are on parade or when. In time
Of public danger. they march 70 tbs
scene OF war or press forward 10 pro
tect persons or property. they win pub
lie applause. Thousands have their
emotions quickly stirred by the sight
Of the lines OF blue and the flying nagA
II Is strange that the same soldiers or
sailors when out OF ranks mingiing
with their fellow citizens. ofven fail 10
receive the treatment accorded 10 the
meanest civilian The soldier { war
u ! hero; IN peace. II sometimes seems
AZ II no van him around The
President makes a strong statement
about the personnel OF the soldiers and
sailors: There 10 no liner body OF
men In all our country than the enlist
ed c OF the srry and navy OF the
United States and | cannot sufficient
y express my indignation and con
tempt for any man who treats bis uni
form SAVE with the respect 10 which
IL Is entitled II all agreed with ths
executive on this point there would Be
no insults offered TO uniformed repre-
sentat1ves OF army and navy. There
Is great difficulty In getting good nen
10 join the army and navy. The rough
and tough often try 10 enlist while
men Of fair common school educauon-
physically qualified are hard to get
The requirements Of enilsting officers
are severe Not ons-Quarter OF the
men who apply are accepted Among
them are some low grade men 90 far
as personal habits go. but as a rule
they are esen In this respect up 20 the
average Of citizenship still the temp
tstions offered 60 them. owing TO their
mode OF iife are trying and som OF
them yield easily. IL II easy TO show
disrcspect TO the uniform II the wearer
Of Il forgets his W obligation TO IL
but this does not often happen Ths
average American seldom comes In con
tact with a soldier or sailor. His opln-
lon L. likely % BE- adverse toward an
enlisted nan because OF sianderous
stories be has heard or owing TO popu-
lar notions falsely entertained. For
the soldier or sailor as q class be
has little regard because be
knows little about life In the
navy. except as be has read Of II in
the tales for the marines"
and possibly does not believe In a
standing army. IL Is not difficult for
the s.pinsn citizen to show lack Of re
gard for the uniform. eve though be
knows the wearer OF Il has sworn 10
preserve. protect. and defend the con
ssitutson and the country. II need be-
With the sacrifice OF his Me. With the
new spirit In favor OF a larger and bet
Ter army and navy must come more
general respect for the men who make
them both respectable. Tho attitude
OF the President and admiral toward
the case OF the sailor nj Newport VIII
have great effect In creating a public
sentiment opposed TO discrimination
against any worthy man In the uni
fern Of his country.