The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-07
GENERAL MILES FOR PRESIDENT.
He Is Nominated by General Brisbin-As-
tOnishing Statement by General Miles,

Fort Keogh Letter, Dec. 80.
While en- route to his command in the depart
ment of Columbia General Miles tarried for
few days amid the scenes of former years to
partake of the Inequalities extended by military
associates of the days that tried mems souls
and tested their nerve in Montana.
AT banquet given to General Nelson A. Miles
at Fort Keogh, NJ T., there were present Gen
eral John D. Wilkins, General James S. Brsbin,
Colonies Edmund e. Rice, Melville Cochran, Ma
iors Simon Snyder James s.. Casey Captains
Eli Higgins Butler Ovenshine, EwerS, MELON
aid Logan, Randall, Lieutenants Forbes, Bailey,
Thompson, Tilson Avis, Partello,- Sage, Allen.
Allison, and all the officers of General Miess old
regiment. The speeches were numerous, Butler,
Wilkins Allison, Avis, Forbes, Major Whpple,
higgins, and others responding to toastS.
General Brisbin responded to the toast of The
Army and its Achievements" and in the course
of his remarks said: Ever since the army un-
der Washington started out on the Atlantic
coast it has been the pioneer of civilization,
opening up the way that the citizen might fol
low build cities and towns in its wake, and con
vert the land to the wants and conveniences of
mankind. Beginning III Virginia, it has marched
on over Pennsylvania, Ohio Illinois, Wisconsin,
Minnesota Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Washing
ton, and Oregon, until it has at last reached the
coast on the other side, and now throughout the
length and breadth of the land that struggles IN
Une grasp OF the Two n1SnUy oceans Jnefe Is
peace, and the nation stands forth regenerated
and disenthraled from the grasp of barbarism.
| will not advert to the wars of the colonies, the
revolution, of 1872, Mexico, the later war of
the rebellion. In all these the army did its duty.
We have here tonight distinguished soldier
who fought in the Mexican war, and many who
fought in the great war of the rebellion, and they
can speak for the army on those occasions. 1t
is with our later wars with the Indians we have
had most to do The distinguished guest, Gen
eral Miles, fought not only in the rebellion but
in all our later Indian wars, Almost ever since
became man I have heard of General Miles,
and l am inclined to think he always dis
tinguished parsonage and vet | know better for
L am told General Miles was once poor and OBJ
scure clerk in a book store and is emphaticaly a
self-made mana soldier in the field gentle
man in private life. If L were asked tonight to
point to an example which our young leuten-
ants might follow with credit and honor to them
selves, would unhesitatingly say, take the eX-
ample Of General Nelson A. Miles Judging by
the past in the career of this man, what have we
not right to expect from him in the futurel 1t
is my opinion he will go much higher and that
we may some day find him President of the
United States
Gen Miles (interrupting)-D draw it so
heavy General. Spread it little thinner. [
can stand reasonable amount of praise, but
this is too much.
Gen Brisbin-It is contrary TO the regulations
of the army to speak of the Presidents of the
United States but if it were not for this rule /
InlnK cOulu snow you bn6J more people IMAM
myself have been thinking of you as a possible
future candidate, at least, for the highest office
in the gift of our people. think, too, if were
allowed to speak my mind I could show you we
have manufactured Presidents ont of worse tim
Der than you are. Laughter Yes, sir, when
recollect some of the men who have been made
President, | think know better timber, and we
have one stick at this table tonight and l it
now. Laughter and applause, and cries of "GO
it!"l
Gen Mi1es-I have nothing TO saw
General Brisbin-That is right. Put yourself
in the hands of your friends and keep quiet.
Laughter. After all why not you be Pres
ident some day well many another man
who confidently expects it, like Blaine, Thur
man, any many others 1t is laudabe ambi-
ton on the part of any man, and the way is open
to he who wins. We must have presidents, and
every schOolboy in nation like this may hope
to become the head of the nation. That is the
peculiar beauty of form of government,
General"
General Brisbin continued speaking at consid-
cradle LENGTH and closed by saying: SAT the end
ing of the war in which the confederacy of the
South went down III blood, there was .ayoung
mana brilliant soldier, General Miles-who
was in command at Fortress Monroe, Va; Gen.
Miles who received the state prisoners Jeffer-
son Davis, Clement c. Clay, and others. l have
seen various statements in the public prints, of
late about the capture and Incarceration of
Davis and his confederates. General, tell US all
about Jeff Davis and his capture"
General Miles thanked General Brisbin for call
ing him out on this point. and did tell all about
JEFF Davis-how he was caught and how he was
delivered to him miles, and why he put irons
on Davis But" said Miles, Il have never
spoken of these matters in public since the war,
and only do so now that the truth of history may
not be prevaricated."
The most astonishing statement made by Miles
is that jeff Davis did know of the intended as
sassination of Abraham Lincoln. and said
Miles, "a proposition to kill the President was
not only made in writing to the confederate gov
eminent, but Endorsed by Jefferson Davis in his
own handwriting, and referred to the confede-
rate Secretary of War for his action"
The gathering at Fort Keogh to greet General
Miles was not only notable event, but as one
said who was present, "These men not only saw
much of the history Of our country made, but
made some of it themselves"