The Hero of Two Wars THE first ex-Confederate officer to receive a commission in the United States Army was General Joseph Wheeler of Alabama. On May 6, 1898, he and General Fitzhugh Lee tendered their services to President McKinley in the war against Spain, and he recommended them as Major-Generals. The true story of the life of General Wheeler reads like a romance. For undaunted courage, military genius, thrilling experiences, and hair-breadth escapes, the record of no officer, North or South, perhaps, can surpass that of Joseph Wheeler of Alabama. "Fighting Joe," as he is popularly called, descends from a military family. When the Civil War broke out Joseph Wheeler was a young man of twenty-four, a graduate of West Point, and a second lieutenant in the regular army. Like the majority of Southerners, he resigned his commission to serve the Confederacy, and he was promptly appointed colonel of an Alabama regiment, and served throughout the war with distinction and honor to himself and the South. Wheeler was always more or less delicate in health, and, when this is considered, the courage and endurance which he manifested become the more remarkable. When he was carried to the front while racked with fever at San Juan, July, 1898, he was but repeating the fortitude manifested in his younger days. Throughout the Civil War General Wheeler enjoyed the confidence and esteem not only of his commanders, but of the soldiers who fought under him, and of the whole South. Everyone relied upon his excellent judgment, not only in directing a cavalry fight, but in everything relating to campaign and army movements. At the close of the war with Spain, among the returning heroes perhaps no one, with the exception of Dewey, Schley, and Hobson, received a more enthusiastic welcome than the old Confederate, Wheeler. The ovations he received at the Peace Jubilees of Chicago and Philadelphia, and on his subsequent tour of the South with President McKinley, attested the popular esteem in which he was held by the whole country. General Wheeler left his position as Congressman from Alabama, during his seventh term, to take part in the Spanish-American War. He was reinstated in the old place on his return, and in the fall of 1898 was triumphantly re-elected for another term. In 1899 he was sent, at his request, for service in the Philippine Islands, where he served with signal ability for several months. Upon his return the President made him a Brigadier in the regular army. William Bourke Cockran Orator, Statesman and Democratic Leader. WILLIAM BOURKE COCKRAN is one of the large number of American statesmen of foreign birth who have come to this country, and by energy and perseverance have risen to be among the foremost men of their time. He was born in Ireland February 28, 1854, coming to the United States when 17 years of age. He completed his education and taught school for five years in New York State, and at the same time studied law. He was admitted to the practice of his profession in 1876. His ability as a lawyer and speaker gained for him great prominence, and he was selected as a member of the New York Commission for revising the State Constitution. He became connected with Tammany Hall, and soon his prominence made him leader, and secured for him election as a member of the House of Representatives from New York in the 50th, 52nd and 53rd Congresses. In the campaign of 1896 he sided with the gold wing of his party, and made many eloquent and forcible speeches in favor of sound money and against free silver. He has recently made several public addresses on the questions of the day, among them an address on the subject of trusts, their control and regulation, which is given in an abridged form in another chapter, as the leading question in the campaign of 1900. Republican Leader and United States Senator From New York. THOMAS C. PLATT, a native of New York State, was born July 15, 1853, and although he had been a student for a short time and not a graduate of Yale University, he has received his honorary degree of M. A. He early became one of the leaders in financial circles of New York. In 1872 he served in the 33rd and 34th Congresses, and was elected United States Senator in January 1881, but resigned with his colleague Senator Conkling in May of the same year, in consequence of troubles with President Garfield, regarding the Federal appointments in the state. Having retired to private life, he devoted his time to his duties as President of the United States Express Company, and to his large business interests. In 1896 he was again elected United States Senator, and has taken a leading part in the politics of his party. Arthur P. Gorman The Popular Democratic Leader of Maryland. ARTHUR P. GORMAN was born in Howard County, Md., March 11, 1839. He was educated in the public schools of his native county, but never had the advantage of a college training. In 1852 he was appointed page in the Senate of the United States, being one of those active, manly little fellows who carry the commands of the worthy senators. He was popular with everyone, and continued in the service of the Senate until 1866, in various positions, when he was appointed postmaster. He afterwards became collector of internal revenue for the District of Maryland. In January, 1880, he was elected by the Democrats to represent the state in the United States Senate, taking his seat March 4, 1881, being re-elected until March 3, 1899, when he was succeeded by L. E. McComas, the state having gone Republican. He has been active in politics, and is easily one of the foremost men in the Democratic party. Republican United States Senator From Ohio. JOSEPH BENSON FORAKER, the distinguished Senator from Ohio, was born in Rainsboro, Ohio, 1846. At the early age of sixteen he entered the army and served to the end of the Civil War. Afterwards he studied at the Ohio Wesleyan University, and also at Cornell, getting his B. A. degree in 1869. He took up the study of law and was admitted to the bar of Ohio at Cincinnati. He rapidly rose in the practice of his profession, and was elected Judge of the Superior Court of Cincinnati in 1879. He has always taken an active part in politics, being a staunch Republican, and in 1886 was elected Governor of his native state. January 15, 1896, he was elected United States Senator to succeed Calvin S. Brice. He has been a staunch supporter of President McKinley and his administration, and stands high in the Republican councils, being one of the leaders in the United States Senate. John Warwick Daniel HONORABLE JOHN W. DANIEL was born September 5, 1842, at Litchburg, Va. He was educated in his native state, completing a classical education and course in law at the University of Virginia. He served with distinction in the Confederate services, being in the famous Stonewall Brigade. He arose to the ranks of Major and Adjutant-General. He served several terms in the Legislature of Virginia, and was at one time candidate for Governor of State, but was defeated. After serving a short time in the House of Representatives in the 49th Congress, he was elected to succeed William Mahone in the United States Senate in 1887, where he has served with distinction and made himself respected as one of the great leaders of his party, having the confidence and respect of his fellow senators. Ex-Senator and Republican Leader from Pennsylvania. MATTHEW STANLEY QUAY is a native of Pennsylvania, being born in York County in 1833. He was educated at Jefferson College, getting his degree in 1850. He chose law for his profession, and was admitted to practice in 1854, at Beaver. He has held various offices of trust and honor in his native state, and combines in his character all the elements of political leadership with those of broad and liberal statesmanship. His term of office expired March 3, 1900. He still holds an influential position in the councils of the Republican Party. His ability as a man and leader grows upon men as they know him better. He is what is known among as big-hearted, devoted to his friends, indulgent to his enemies. There is always a hidden reserve, knowledge and power that is apparent but undisclosed. He has more friends among Democrats than any Republican in the state. He lives a quiet domestic life, respected and honored by devoted wife and children. men Cushman K. Davis Republican Senator from Minnesota. CUSHMAN K. DAVIS is a native of New York State, being born in 1839, but while a mere infant, his family removed to the Territory of Wisconsin, where he was reared on a farm. He received a liberal education in the public schools of his state, and at Michigan University. Choosing law for his profession, he was admitted to the bar in Wisconsin at the breaking up of the Civil War. After an honorable service in the war he removed to Minnesota, and served in the State Legislature. Afterwards he became Governor of the state, then honored with an election to represent Minnesota in the United States Senate, where he has served with distinction. The courage of Senator Davis, built upon the habitual frankness and rectitude, may be termed his leading characteristic. His voice |