The Sunday Oregonian., June 14, 1908, Magazine Section, Page 3, Image 49

LIEJL'TEXANT J. M. KElSO. JR.. U.
S. A., in charge of the recruiting ter
ritory comprising the State of Ore
gon," when asked by an Oregonian re
porter as to the probable effect the recent
financial legislation would have upon the
recruiting sen-ice, said:.
"On May 11, of the present year, what
1b known as the Army pay bill, granting
the United States soldier an average in
crease of 36 per cent in his pay, with oth
TRIBUTE
flZ can best grasp the significance
of this occasion by recalling the
conditions under which the work
was done which we are here to commem
orate. The Presidential campaign of 1860
was the most bitterly contested of all
of our political struggles. The people
were divided Into four hostile camps.
Passion ran high and the election of
Lincoln and Hamlin by a minority of
the popular vote was not accepted as a
settlement of the questions iu dispute.
Men differed in party affiliation, in their
views of slavery, of free soil and of con
stitutional interpretation. The activities
of the North were industrial and agricul
tural. Its people were peace-loving, not
martial. The President-elect was to
some extent an unknown man. lie had
not been chosen to lead the" country
through a war and his followers did not
desire to fight. These were the condi
tions when the wires flashed over the
country the news from Fort Sumpter.
It was like the fiery oross which was
wont to be carried through the highlands
of Scotland summoning the clans to war.
Men forgot their love of peace, their dif
ferences of opinion and ' of party affilia
tion. They remembered only the one
flag and the one country the flag of
Saratoga and New Orleans: the country
for which WasTilugton had lived and
Warren had died. The world hai never
seen anything more magnificent than the
response of the yeomanry of the North
to that Sumpter alarm. It was one of
.
' n i u i -u- mi " . u u jni.ij.ni wyninum ... jjim . juj I - v " X i , , Ziitl?,
1
er liberal allowances for ability, was ap
proved by the President and is now a part
of the law of the land. This just treasure
was warmly advocated by nearly all the
metropolitan papers throughout the coun
try, and was hailed with delight by all.
Irrespective of party, as placing a well
merited reward upon faithful service un
der the flag of our Nation.
"As a matter of fact, the Army, until
recently, was far short of the requisite
TO TWO GREAT
those times of which Carlyle speaks, one
of those occasions which mark epochs in
the life of a nation, when the spirit of a
people is Inflamed to white heat; when
the dross of selfishness is consumed and
the gold of devotion to duty is refined in
the fire. Called of God . to a common
task, men came forth from the looms of
New England, the mines of Pennsylvania,
the prairies of Illnois and the forests
of the great Northwest.
With that rare prescience which
marked him the greatest man of his
time, Lincoln foresaw this awakening of
the people. In his first inaugural he
said:
"The mystic chords of memory stretch
ing from every battlefield and patriot
grave to every living heart and hearth
stone in the land will yet swell the cho
rus of the Union when touched, as they
surely will be, by the better angels of
our nature."
The value of any act lies largely in the
motive back of it. in the spirit in which
it is done. Glorious as were the achieve
ments of the sdldlers and sailors of the
republic in this testing time, rich as is
the harvest of blessings which .we are
reaping from their sowing, we cannot
do them justice on this day set apart
to commemorate their work unless we
realize and emphasise the magnificent
self-effacement, the soul-consuming pa
triotism, which were the motive and the
spirit in which their lives were lived and
their deeds done.
As we read the story of those Times
we don't know whom we should most
THE SUNDAY OREGONIAN, . PORTLAND, JUXE 14, 1908.
Tn)T&
number of men, but since the passage of
this bill the old soldiers are drifting back
to the Army, realizing that Uncle Sam
has made a high bid for their services,
and that the vocation of a soldier prom
ises better than the uncertainty of outside
labor, where competition Is keen, living
expenses are high and the scale of wages
is constantly changing.
Pay Under Xew Law.
"What is the new scale of Army pay
admire, the soldiers of the armies of
the West or the rank and file of the
Army of the Potomac. The career of
the armies of the West was a succession
of victories almost unbroken from Mill
Springs to Savannah. There is dramatic
interest in that early campaign by which
Missouri was saved to the Union. There
was something heroic in the tenacity
with which Grant clung to Vlcksburg
until the time came when the Father
of Waters could roll iinvexed to the sea.
Our blood thrills with emotion as we
read the story of Missionary Ridge and
Lookout Mountain. But we reserve our
highest meed of praise for that Septem
ber day in 1863 when, with the liock of
Chickamauga at their head, the army
of the Cumberland, 30.000 strong, with
stood the attacks of 60,000 Confederates.
We follow these men in their march of
triumph through ' the Carolines and we
join in Sherman's characterization of
them as they marched down Pennsylva
nia avenue in the grand review. In en
thusiam they were like Napoleon's Old
Guard; in discipline and tenacity of pur
pose they rivaled the battalions of Fred
erick the Great; in conscience and char
acter they' were worthy descendants of
the Puritan soldiers of Oliver Cromwell.
But the Army of the Potomac had a
glory peculiarly its own. For two long
years it was fought almost without a
plan; it was marched and countermarched
through Virginia mud. It was left to
sicken and die in the miasmatic swamps
of the Chickahominy. In the 3even Days'
Battles it was sent a corps at a time to
4 " i
4
for the soldier?" After looking over re
cent orders. Lieutenant Kelso gave the
following answer:
"The pay for enlisted men for a bat
tery of artillery, troop of cavalry or com
pany of Infantry or coast artillery under
the new law Is as follows: For a private,
tiret enlistment, $15; for a corporal, first
enlistment, t-l; for a cook, $30; for a
sergeant, $30; for a first sergeant, $45.
There are many non-commissioned officers
in the Army today drawing from $30 to
ARMIES,
certain defeat against the united army of
Northern Virginia. Its victory at An
tietam was throwi away by the supine
ness and inaction of "McClellaJH, At Chan
cellorsville it fought under: a commander
who did not command and suffered a de
feat it did not deserve.- At Second Bull
Run it was entrusted to a general who
neither inspired nor deserved its confi
dence. It was embarrassed by official In
terference and confused by conflicting or
ders. It was denied supplies which were
available .and at hand. The mistakes
of Its leaders were apparent to Its rank
and file. By the side of each bayonet
there was the soul of a thinking freeman.
Every man in the Army, with a single
exception, saw the hopelessness of the at
tack on the stone wall at Fredericksburg.
Yet because that one exception was the
Commander-in-Chief these magnificent
troops moved up that hill which was as
the Valley of the Shadow of Death.
The history of this Army for the flrs"t
half of the war is a disheartening story
of defeat and slaughter for the men; of
discouragement and despair for the coun
try; of incompetence and failure in the
commanders. Yet there was never a time
when this Army was wanting in disci
pline, in courage or in esprit de corps.
A singe defeat at Waterloo destroyed the
army of Napoleon. But two years of de
feat did not suffice to shake the courage
or impair the martial spirit of the Army
of the Potomac. The laurel might crown
the brow of the foe. the willow be the lot
of these patriot soldiers; but with faith
unshaken they fought tha good flfiut, al
$99 per month, besides having every ex
pense paid for them, including board,
lodging, clothing, baths and gymnasiums,
schools, libraries and bowling alleys fur
nished, all absolutely free.
"In addition to this, when a soldier is
In foreign service. 20 per cent is added to
the base pay; a soldier Is entitled to re
tire after 30 years' service, with a month
ly salary for the remainder of his life of
three-fourths of the salary he was draw
ing at the date of retirement, with $15.75
allowances for rations, etc., and foreign
eervice Is counted double time toward re
tirement. For instance, two years out of
the United States proper would count four
years of the 30 for retirement.
"Perhaps the most important effect of
the recent legislation, aside from pro
ducing a general feeling of contentment
among the already enlisted, is the ap
peal that It directly makes to the
Intelligent, ambitious young man to be
come a non-commissioned officer, and ul
timately to take 'the examination for a
non-commissioned staff appointment, or
for a commission" as a Second Lieutenant.
Non-commissioned officers are - also ap
pointed as Second Lieutenants of Philip
pine scouts upon the recommendation of
tfie Commanding General of the Philippine
division without examination, and solely
upon ther merits.
"I recently overheard a soldier re
mark: 'I guess Congress did as much
as they dared for us this year, and if
they'll only restore us the canteen next
time, we'll be satisfied.'
Opportunity for Travel.
"Not only by the recent increase of pay
did the Government gracefully enter
Into competition with other employers of
labor, but also by the offer of a splendid
opportunity to see the world, and study
employment for three years, with priv
ilege of re-enlisting for successive three
year periods, it further offered an in
centive to enterprising young men.
"The cavalry and the field artillery
are fine branches of the Army for those
who love horses. The seacoast artil
lery offers the best opportunities for
those who like machinery and the
handling of big guns. This branch of
the Army has recently been increased,
and it offers good chances for promo
tion to bright young men of a mechan
ical or electrical turn of mind. The
Engineer Corps, the Hospital Corps and
the Signal Corps are special branches
of the Army -which hold out -wonderful
1861-1865
ways loyal to the cause, the country and
the flag.
It was not until Meade took command
three days before the battle of Gettys
burg that this Army ever, had a chief
tain worthy of its rank and tile. He
found his troops scattered from Dan to
Beersheba. He was face to face with the
flood tide of the Confederacy. The Army
of Northern Virginia, in the hour of its
greatest strength, commanded by a sol
dier of consummate talent, flushed with
victory, fresh from Fredericksburg and
Chancellorsville, was invading Pennsyl
vania. Meade's troops were required to
march all night and fight all day. Yet
how valiantly did they fight the war's
one great battle on the soil of a free
state! How bravely did Reynolds die!
How resolutely did those soldiers of free
dom defend Round Top and Gulp's Hill!
How manfully did they battle in the
Peach Orchards and the Devil's Den! Lin
coln was right; the world will never for
get what the Army of the Potomac did
at Gettysburg. In the recoil of Pickett's
charge the doom of the Confederacy was
written.
On the 10th day of March, 1S64, the
greatest soldier of the age took command
of this army which defeat had chastened,
but could not demoralize; this army
which was the fruition of six centuries
of life under Magna Charta. A few weeks
later it set forth on, its final march
southward and the glistening of its bay
onets in the noon-day sun as it crossed
the Rapidan was the presage and the
promise of a new' and greater republic.
Every day from headquarters the com-
inducements in their particular lines
of work for the right sort of men.
"To those men who would like to
travel and see other countries, an en
listment In any branch other than the
Coast Artillery would enable them to
see Hawaii, the Philippines. Alaska,
Cuba or Porto Rico at Government ex
pense, and the travel and -experience
would be a valuable education in it
self, for it means practically a trip
around the world. Most old soldiers
prefer service in the tropics for a part
of their enlistment.
Compact With Viicle Sam.
"Every applicant should remember
that enlistment In the Army means
something beyond mere employment
for three years at good wages. The
enlistment Is supported by a solemn
oath, whereby the applicant pledges
himself to serve three years unless
sooner discharged-by proper authority;
to bear true faith and allegiance to the
United States of America, and to serve
them honestly and faithfully against
all their enemies; and every soldier
who fulfills -these conditions can justly
feel that he has faithfully performed
his highest duty to his government,
whether the service has been in peace
or war.'
"One advantage that should not be
overlooked is tiie fact that the soldier's
pay is the same when sick as when
performing duty. There Is at the pres
ent time a Corporal of. this detachment
In the hospital at Vancouver Barracks
suffering from a serious affliction of
the eye, which would cost a man in the
ordinary walks of life the savings of
years to have treated. If he had no
savings It would mean a burden of
debt or loss of eyesight. Today he is
in one of the finest hospitals In the
country and under the best medical
care the country affords, and his pay
goeB on just the same. Think of the
relief from worry where the next dol
lar Is to come from, how the bills are
to be paid! Then, too, should he be
come disabled for further service, he
would receive a liberal pension for
life.
"At the expiration of his term of en
listment the soldier receives travel al
lowance" back to the place of enlist
ment at the rate of 4 cents a mile.
Those who re-enlist within three
months get a bonus of full pay from
date of discharge.
"Portland, with the contiguous terri-
Memorial Address by Wallace McCamant at the Dedica
tion of Soldiers' Monument at Corvallis, May 30.
mand went forth, "By the left flunk for
ward," and every day this army threw
itself on its foe. Through the Wilderness,
past Spottsylvania and Cold Harbor, on
Ho Petersburg and Richmond it fought Its
way and at Appomattox it crowned four
years of suffering and sorrow.
All honor to the Army of the Potomac
All honor to the armies of the West. All
honor to the Navy which so bravely and
so successfully seconded their efforts.
Honor to Grant and Sherman, to Sheridan
and Thomas, to. Farragut and Porter.
They have all gone to the land of the
hereafter. With them are most of those
whom they led. It is ours to tell the
story of their devotion and to leave be
hind us this stately stone that those who
pass this way in the future may pause
and think on these things of which we
speak. "
How shall we measure our debt to these
men? Thanks to them, we have but one
country, one Hag, one constitution. The
crack of the slave-driver's whip has given
way to the hum of industry. The old
South with its plantations has become the
new South with its mills. The bondman
has become the citizen and in a single
generation has acquired much knowledge,
power and self-rspect. The free labor
of the North, delivered from competition
with the slave labor of the South, has
seen wages increase and comforts multi
ply. Congress, set free from the inces
sant wrangle over slavery, has had time
to legislate for the welfare of the whole
people. Wise land laws have transferred
the public domain to the actual settler.
Great commonwealths have frown up in
3
tory, has furnished many splendid specl
mens for the Army during the last 13
months. Very often we reeclve applica
tions from stalwart young men who have
wisely decided not to spend their entire
lives In the woods and the harvest fields.
A young man from the farm may think
that upon enlisting he Is immediately
hustled off to join a body of well-trained
soldiers, but sugh Is not the case. On
being accepted, he is sent to what is
called a recruit depot where he is given
Individual instruction in the school of the
soldier and the squad. He himself will
be surprised to find how rapidly he will
advance In his training and acquire a
soldierly bearing. After the short period
of Instruction h is ready to be sent to
the regiment which will be his permanent
home during the remainder of his first
enlistment.
"For this Journey he ha an outfit of
the best clothing that money can buy.
as the Government buys the best and
furnishes it to the soldier at cost. It
should be understood that the soldier has
an allowance of $126.26 in excess of pay
for clothing alone, and this Is more than,
sufficient for all needs. Out of It he
should save at least $60 to be paid him
at the end of his enlistment. In addition
to his clothing he is Kiven. absolutely
free, the following articles: Razor, razor
strop, shaving mug and soap, hair and
tooth brushes, whisk broom and a "house
wife." containing needles, thread and
buttons. It will be readily seen that the
Government has remembered and pro
vided for every need that the soldier
has. And this fact Is becoming known
and appreciated, as evidenced by the
character of the men who are presenting
themselves at the recruiting offices for
avatnlnnlliin anri Q nf-an t TWA T hl1iVft
' the day is not far distant when the ap
I pllcant for enlistment will have to wait
j for a vacancy to occur in the Army in
order to secure a place therein.
"At the present time the United States
Army Is an open door of opportunity to
young men between the ages of 18 and 35
years. An applicant for enlistment must
he unmarried, a citizen of the United
States, and able to read and write Eng-
lisli, must be physically sound and able
to give a reference as to good moral
character.
"Applicants between 18 and 21 years
of age must have the full and free con
sent of parents or guardian. This must
be in writing and the signature witnessed
by the postmaster or some well-known
citizen.
"Any roan fulfilling the foregoing re
quirements can present himself at the
recruiting office in Portland, and without
Influence or favor will receive courteous
treatment, and can secure steady em
ployment for the next three years that
I will prove both agreeable and profitable."
the West, peopled by patriots who worship
God, and demand freedom and justice
for their fellow-men. With the guilt of
slavery wiped out. Providence has smiled
upon us benignly: the fields have brought
forth their Increase and we have become
rich and industrially independent. There
is new dignity to citizenship and a new
halo about the flag.
We still have with us a goodly number
of those who did this great work. Let
it be our care to make their declining
years tender and sweet. Let them have
many proofs of our gratitude and affec
tion. If the majority could come back
to us from the land of clearer vision
whither they have gone, they would tell
us that we can best honor their memory
by loyalty to those things to which they
gave the last proof of devotion. They
would tell us to love this, our country
and their country, and the flag which Is
the symbol of Its glory; to teach, proclaim
and empllfy that gospel of the brother
hood and .equality of men of which they
were. apostles sent from God.
Payment of Egyptian Taxes.
London Standard.
An Egyptian paper says that the Jatlvs
families pay an average tax of $4.65 an
acre, or 28.5 per cent of the crop. For
eigners and land companies hold 656.000
acres. Through their Insolvency and
liquidation-, and the redistribution of the
estates formed since 1902. It is probable
that large amounts of gold may be un
hoardecL , .