The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1908-10-10
PROPHETIC WORDS.
Statement of Lawton Like an Ac-
eusation From the Grave.

Among the many gallant American
soldiers whose lives were sncl laced In
the difficult task OF suppressing the
Filipino insnrrection none was more
beloved either by his brother officers
or the men In the ranks than General
Henry w l.awton. lie realized the
ideal American soldier ms completely
as any OF his contemporaries. and his
record In the war for the Union. In VA.
rious Indian campaigns. In Cuba DIR
Ing the Spanish war and In trying
work which called him to the Philip
pines constitutes lustrous chapter In
the annals OF American valor. No
Drawer officer ever wore his country's
uniform. No gentler more conslderate
commander ever led his troops into
battle. No more chivalric leader ever
gave mp his life In defense of his coun.
try's dag
General f.awton was killed In battle
with insurrectos In the island OF Luzon
In 1870 while lighting nj the head OF
his troops. \ sbert time before the
tragic close OF his career he had writ
ten to n friend In the United States n
letter. In which he said:
az | am shot by a Filipino bullet II
might as we'll come from one OF my
own men. because know from 90
servation. confirmed by captured rris.
oners. that the continuance OF fighting
is chiefly due to reports that are sent
out from America"
The words OF LawtOn. fighting \
trcachcrous foe In tropical country.
were meant as Il protest against the
uupatrlotc ''anti.lmpcriallst" ngitntors
here In the United States, where OK
pressions of sympathy for the nsur
rection gave constant aid and comfort
to the enemy. Army officers of high
character aud rugged experience In
the Philippines have frequently ex.
pressed the opinion that the lnsurrec.
ton would not have lasted ninety days
had II not been for the support. moral
and otherwise. which Its leaders re-
cclycd from their sympathlzers In
America.
NV luoNt Atf
insstcnt aud most reckless Of all, was
William Jennings Bryan. and against
him the prophetic words OF the lament
ed l.awton stand like an accusation
from the grave. For his unpItrotic
cour during the Filipino insurrection
Mr. i'ryan lacked even the shadow Of
an excuse. He had entered the mill
tary service during the Spanish war rs
volunteer officer. and he knew that
the war and the Instruction In tho IL.
lands could he concluded only with the
unqualified recognition of American
But IN spite of that he encouraged the
Filipino To continue In armed resist
ance. and his reckless expressions I'M
doultclly helped to prolong q dcsp"r
ute aud costly struggle which he knew
IN his heart could never end except In
the way II was ended. Mr.. Bryan'S
conduct throughout that conflict. which
cost 50 much alike TO the United States
and to the dcludcd Flliplnos them
selves. amounted TO moral treason. AMI
Il will never be forgiven by the SUR
vivors Of those gallant men from whom
Il cNaCtcd the last fun measure Of sac
riiicc In devotion to duty
The words Of l.awton viii comfounh
Mr.. Bryan every time he opens hi
mouth tn speak on the Philippines IT,
the present campaign. lie cannot rs
cape them They inlict him for giving
aid ani comfort to the armed enemies
him ns MAJ who openly encouraged
desperate prism" against the Ia" IN
lefcnSc ~ whch l.awton died