Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1911-06-22
Ancient and Modern PhaIanxes.

III lne uIHc Vi hIehdHuSl lHC OlCdl uIS
Macedonian phalanx was the invincible
military formation Of the world. 1t orig
inated.in Macedonia before Philip and
Alexander, was greatly developed by
them, and then was taken up by the
Greeks. For centuries it swept all before
it.
This formation consisted of spearmen.
They were heavily armored and carried
great oblong shields TO hide the body.
They bore but one weapon-a spear 10
feet long. They formed in close order,
shoulder close to shoulder, their spears
extending. They were ranged in ranks,
close together, four, six, eight and even
more deep. Those behind had their
spears extend between those in front. II
made one solid mass OF moving armor
and spear points; a formation at first
1000 men strong, then 5000, and at last
up TO 10000; great, slowly advancing
wall, flanked on either side with armor
and spears and likewise backed.
Advancing over flat ground, this huge
living military machine carried all before
it; with it the Macedonian and Greek
armies were invincible until the latter
tried to conquer Italy. Under PyrrhuS
the phalanx went down into the dust be-
fore the free formation of Rome.
The Roman soldier, carrying his light
er body armor, his smaller shield, his
short, double-edged sword, was quicker,
more nimble, could move over the field
in open or close order. But when he
met the phalanx he had new military
problem on his hands; spears, spears,
spears, a gigantic oblong of spears /;
whether in front, on either flank, or in
the rear. They bristed like a vast por-
cupine. How was he to get within arms
reach OF the body of the Greek soldier,
for do this he must to use his weapon
the short sword. Then was the Roman
genius called upon to invent a weapon
that should destroy the phalanx. The
weapon was produced. 1t was the pi-
lun, a lance or short spear that could be
hurled with great force and accuracy 30
feet or more. Each Roman soldier with
his broadsword by his side and the plum
in his hand, marked out an individual be-
hind the wall of spears. Watching for
an exposed part he hurled the plum. If
but here and there a Spearman was
struck, he made confusion in falling.
There was a wavering of other spears.
That was the Roman chance. The le-
gionary ran in between the points, and
with their swords had the Spearmen,
helpless in heavy armor, at their mercy.
One such breach made, there was a
wedge-like rush from the Roman ranks,
and the whole Greek strength was de-
stroyed. Thus it was that PyrrhuS was
vanquished. The Roman with his broad
sword and his plum became the worlds
master.
Mr.. Chairman, the tariff beneficiarieS
have been the economic and political
phalanx for long years in the United
States. They have formed one great
compact united body. Realizing that
they must stand together or be Destroy
ed in detail, they have acted as mass,
their shields spread, their spears ad-
vanced; from time to time moving for
ward to new ground of vantage; making
at all times common bristling defense
against any general attack.
And so it has been until this Congress.
In this special session the method OF at
tack on the tariff phalanx has changed.
The plum has come into use in this DEM
ocratic House. This wool bill, which we
are now debating; the Canadian reci-
procity bill and the free-liSt bill which
we have passed; the other schedule
bills that may hereafter pass are our Ro-
man lances which we hurl at weak points
in the tariff ranks. We break down the
spears here, we break down the spears
there, we make breach and open it with
a rush, and then the cry in the tariff ranks
is each for himself. Small and insignifi-
cant as these bills may appear, they carry
destruction. Hurled by this Democratic
side in this Congress the tariff army line
will at points be pierced and preached,
and the monopoly. phalanx which, so
long as it could stand intact, was invinci-
BILE, will end in utter rout and destruction.
Extract from tariff speech OF Henry