The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-02-06
UNIFORM
A BADGE
OF HONOR

Washington, Feb. e.-President Roose-
welt has written a letter 10 Secretary
Taft IN which he dwelS at length upon
the way the enlisted men OF the army
and navy should be looked upon by eiti-
zens. The occasion for the writing OF the
letter was the case OF Lieutenant Roy l.
Taylor OF the army. who was tried by
court martial on charges preferred by an
enlisted man. Lieutenant Taylor, upon
going 10 the theatre on night, found
that a member OF his company had a
seat near him. lie asked the man 10
move on the ground that he did not be
lieve IL well for an enlisted man TO hear
the conversation between him and the Ia
dies with him. Lieut.. Taylor was reduced
10 files in rank for the offence, and the
presiden. says he is glad of It, His letter
TO Secretary Taft follows
THE White House.
washington, Feb, 3, 1906.
MY Dear Mr. Secretary-I have re-
ceived your letter and the court-martial
proceedings in the case OF Lieutenant Roy
/. Taylor
''In my Judgment Lieutenant Taylor
committed ore of the most serious faults
which any officer can commit L am
glad that he was reduced II files II Is
a pleasure 10 record the fact that his
offence was altogether exceptional In the
body TO which he belongs: / know OF no
other officer who has ever been guilty OF
similar misconduct
There is no body OF men I'm this coun-
try OF similar size which merits so well
OF the country as the body OF officers and
enlisted men from the army and navy
of the United States. Not only should
the country as "A whole jealously guard
the interest OF these men and regard
a. aA 10
liar degree and in peculiar sense with
it's own but the members OF the body
should themselves feel the same Jealous
eagerness TO uphold the honor and stand
ing OF all connected with IL. Above all.
this should be the object OF officers as
regards the enlisted men.
"The more civilized a nation is. tho
more honestly desirous Il is OF securing
peace. the greater should be the care by
which 1t fosters and encourages the pres
ervation OF the military virtues among its
citizens. and in no way can this be bet
ter achieved than by resolute effort tn
secure proper recognition for the enlisted
men OF the army and navy.
The uniform of the enlisted man is a
badge OF honor. II entities him TO a pecu-
liar consideration. IL shows that I'm the
great ma jority of cases he has learned
those habits OF elf-commaud OF self-re-
strant OF obedience and of fearlessness
in the face of danger which put hin,
above most Of his fellows who have not
possessed similar privileges To strive
to discriminate against him in any way
IS literally an infamy; for Il is in reality
! one OF the most serious offences which
can be committed against the stability
/ and greatness OF our nation. If hote
! keeper or the owner OF theatre or any
/ other public resort attempts such dis
elimination everything possible should b'
| done by all good citizens to make the mar
attempting il feel the full weight Of 2
| just. popular resentment, and IL possible
! legal proceedings should be taken against
| him.
LAS for the commissioned officers. II
/ is and must he their pride alike to trair
! the enlisted man how To do his duty and
see that the enlisted man who does his
duty is held In honor and respect"