The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1908-10-05
PROPHETIC WORDS.
Statement of Lawten Like an Ae-
eusation From the Grave.

euSation From the Grave.
Among the many gallant american
soldiers whose lives were sacrificed in
the didicult task OF SURPRISING the
Filipino Insurrection none was more
beloved either by his brother officers
or the men in the ranks than General
Henry W. Lawton. He realized the
ideal American soldier as completely
us any OF his contemporaries. and his
record In the war fer the Union. In va
rious Indian campaigns. In Cuba dur-
ing the Spanish Iur and In trying
work which called him to the Philip
pines constitutes 4ustrous chapter in
the annals of American valOE No
brnver officer ever wore his country's
uniform. No gentlcr, more consfderate
commander ever led his troops into
battle. No more chivalric leader ever
gave up his life in defense of his coun-
ry's flag
General I.awton was killed in battle.
with insurrectos in the island of Luzon
in 1900 while lighting at the head of
bis troops. A. short time before the
trngic close OF his career he had writ
ten to friend In the United States
letter, in which he said:
"If am shot by Filipino bullet it
Ult9UG as RSGll GOTHIC my
own men, because I know from 90
servation, confirmed by captured Rris-
eners, that the continuance of fighting
is chiefly due to reports that are sent
out from. America"
The words OF Lawton, lighting a
trcacherous foe in a tropical country.
were meant as protest against the
mpatriotic contemporaries" ngitatorS
hero in the United States, where ex-
prrssions of sympathy for the insur-
rection gave constant aid and comfort
to the enemy. Army officers of high
character and rugged experience in
the Philippines have frequently ex-
pressed the opinion that the Insurrec-
ton would not have lasted ninety days
had It not been for the support. moral
and otherwise. which its leaders re-
ccived from their synpathizers in
America.
Chief among those sympa thIzers, the
Insistent and most reckless OF all. was
William Jennings Bryan. and against
him the prophetic words OF the lament
ed I.awton stand like an accusation
from the grave. For his unpatrIotic
course during the Filipino insurrection
Mr.. Bryan lacked even the shadow OF
an excuse. He had entered the mill
tary service during the Spanish war as
volunteer officer. and he knew that
the war and the Instruction in the is
lands could be concluded only with the
unqualified recognition OF American
authority wherever it was asserted.
But In spite OF that he encouraged the
Filipino to continue in armed resist
ance, and his reckless expressions I'M
doubtedIy helped to proIong n desper-
ate aud costly struggle which he knew
In his heart could never end except in
the way 1t was ended. Mr., Bryan'S
conduct throughout that conflict, which
cost SO much alike TO the United States
and to the deluded Fillpinos them
selves, amounted to moral treason, and
1t VIII never be forgiven by the sur
vivors of those gallant men from whom
1t exacted the last full measure of sac
rifice in devotion tO.duty.
The words OF Lawton will cUnfound
AIR. Bryan eve=y time he opens his
mouth to speak on the Philippines in
the present campaign. He cannot es-
cnpe them. They iudict htIn for giving
I'D and comfort to the armed enemies
IF American authority and they brand
aim as man who Openly encouraged
desperate uprising against the dag in
defense of which Lawton died.
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