New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-22
VOLUNTEER OFFICERS IN THE ARMY

VOLUNTEER OFFICERS IN THE ARMY
A DENIAL THAT THE WEST POINTERS OPPOSE
THEM-GENERAL MILEs's PROMOTION
To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: In your issue of Saturday March H. in an
article from Washington. under the heading Of
Against the Lieutenant Generalship.' occurs the
following:
A member OF the Senate said to-day that the sus-
picion WAS growing that opposition to Miles was
due 10 the fact that he was volunteer. not a
Nest Pointer ard that II this was shown to be
full general
II such opposition exists. where is 1t? Certainly
not in the Army. where there is complete accord
between what is known as civilian appointments
and graduates from West Point. There are no
longer any volunteer" officers in the Army and q
great proportion Of the graduate officers who served
with the volunteer officers during the now
on the retired list 1t is safe to say there Is no
opposition In the Army to the appointment of any
general because he is is not a West Point
graduate
Moreover, it is against the spirit training Of
that institution to express any such opposition even
II It existed. Assuming that the member OF the
Senate Is correct when he says There is a growing
opposition to the appointment" etc, that opposi.
ton must come from Congress ITSELF or the people
whom 1t represents. do not believe there is any
such opposition. and IL there has BEEN it has
been on this ground alone The grade of lleutenant-
general. which has been borne by such generals 40
by schoded, should not be cheapened by its be-
stowal on men who, though capable and brave, are
yet men OF lesser calibre.
For the last three years the statement has been
made, a,li spread broadcast. that there has been
ana etlll Is opposition 10 the officer who is the
present Commanding General of the Army because
ne Is a volunteer officer and not West Point
graduate Ii Is time such allegations should cease.
The graduates feel and pay all honor TO the noble
devotion. patriotism and ability of the volunteer
Army or the past and are one In spirit OF COM
radeshp, with the Grand Army and the members
OF the Loyal Legion
There is no reflection intended by the President
uate or non-graduate because they 90 not wish to
revive grade hitherto borne by leading gen:
erals who commanded during the momenous Civil
War If there is any parttsanship anywhere, II
was shown In lsI9-S0. when General r. q. c. ord.
graduate of West Point. was summarly retired
from the Army without cause. aud before the law
concerning limit OF age for retirement had been
enacted, to make room and place for the appoint
ment general OF the young volunteer officer,
Colonel Miles, Foremost among those who brought
this pass that distinguished officer and grad
uate. General Sherman, who was DESTROYS OF e.e-
waiting to the grade OF General his volunteer
nephew by marriage. the Aforesaid Colonel Miles.
scopes look for opposition 10 the appointment Of
any General because he is or Is not graduate OF
West Point The volunteer officers mad this great
point in their favor: Their States and towns did
not forget the young solder who went TO the war,
while they generally did forget the young West
Point cadet, who after he leaves his native State,
belongs to the Nation at large" and wave OF
tunities and abilities were distinguished as to
attract the attention not only ~ The Nn,inr hut
Brooklyn March IA. 1896