Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-10
GEN. MILES REGRETS
WAS UNABLE TO ATTEND Ma
TIONAL ENCAMPMENT.
Letter Forwarded to Mr.. B. II. War
ner, Chairman of the Citizens
Executive Committee,

Mr.. B. H Warner, chairman of the citi-
zens' executive committee having in charge
the arrangements for the thirty-sixth ma
tional encampment of the Grand Army of
the Republic recently received letter from
Lieuteant General Miles, dated at Portland,
Oregon. prior to his departure for the Phil
ippines. which is self-explanatory, and Is
as follows:
Dear Sir and Comrade:
Il appreciate in the highest degree your
cordial invitation to take part in the cere-
monies at the coming reunion, and deeply
regret that it will be impossible for me to
be present during the celebration Of the en-
campment Of the Grand Army of the Re-
public at Washington. thus depriving me Of
the pleasure of meeting my comrades on
tnat most eventful occasion.
Long years Of separation have not les
sened the depth of our friendship, neither Is
the continent wide enough, nor will the Pa
enc De broad enough to weaken the bonds
OF comradeShip that We're welded by the old
camphres amid the battle scenes Of the
great war.
Il rejoice that the veterans are again to
assemble at the national capital. not in the
grim Vesture of war. but during a condition
OF profound peace. 1t will recall to them
the darkest hours of our country's history,
When the war drum sounded and there
came
of the west.
Columbia's children. her noblest and best"
Marshalled Into One Grand Army.
They gathered at time when the ma
tional capital was engaged: when the divi-
sion of the country seemed inevitable; when
the destruction Of our government was
threatened and the mighty host Of brave.
patriotic young men were marshaled into
one grand army such as the world had
never known before. and probably will
never witness again. They demonstrated
their Willingness to sacrifice the brightest
hopes and prospects Of life. They encoun-
tered ar army Of Americans whose skill and
bravery were unsurpassed. 1t was a death
struggle between giants. and for four long
years campaigns were conducted and bat
ties Fought where the theater Of war ex-
tended from the eastern slopes Of the Rocky
mountains to the Atlantic coast. and from
me Rio Grande to the hills of Gettysburg.
bravery they fought. patiently they en-
dured. exhibiting a tenacity never excelled.
II ever equaled. The gloom Of disaster the
great losses sustained In the fierce battles
ana destructive campaigns, never for a mo-
ment weakened their confidence nor les
sened their fortitude. There were single
hours IN That war when their services were
more important to this country and to man.
KIND than those of lifetime of others not
so engaged.
Permanent Peace.
When the war flags were furled. when
the bugles and drums sounded cease fir
ing. when permanent peace had been pro-
claimed and imperishable glory achieved,
their ranks had been thinned by the loss
OF hundreds of thousands of noble comrades
and there were but few veterans who were
not wearing honorable battle scars
1T Is one of our chief glories that at the
close of hostilities animosity was hurled
in the last ditch and supplanted by a spirit
III has hnon on1id fad
TO bonds of union and friendship. The bless
lngs achieved have been equally beneficial
to all who were engaged in that great con-
test, and the participants on both sides had
wed with each other in the work of up
building this nation to it's present sphere
the mightiest republic of all times. Union
lists and confederates have touched shoulder
to shoulder in maintaining the honor and
the character OF our nation in peace and
war.
AS the veterans gather in this celebra-
ton they will not hear the sound of hostile
guns The cheers of the people, the melody
of patriotic music, the thunder of our ar
tlllery. will welcome them to the capital
they saved. to the seat of the government
they preserved.
GAS they march again through the great
avenues they will not see the careworn,
benevolent face of Lincoln, nor the sturdy
faces of Grant, Sherman, Meade, Thomas,
Sheridan Hancock and hundreds of thou
sands of their comrades who gave them
down to death as cheerfully as to festival.
They will now find what is soon destined
to be the most beautiful capital in the
world. They will towering in mid air
the Goddess of Liberty over their national
Capitol. They will realize that Washington
is indeed the capital of nation that gives
liberty and equality to SO,00O,OO0 of people.
They will, moreover. appreciate that their
achievements have been of immea surable
benefit to the millions of people Of other
countries OF the western hemisphere.
Effects Far-Reaching.
1.-THE far-reaching and beneficent effect Of
what they accomplish by their valor and
sacrifice Is beyond comprehension. and can
only be realized as the years roll on. While
all that they hoped for and more than they
had right to expect has been achieved,
owe to themselves and to their children,
and that Is, to be ever mindful during the
remaining years that shall be granted u.s.
as comrades and citizens, to maintain I'M
sullied and unimpaired the principles Of
our government.
II can conceive of no more imperative
duty than that Of preserving this great re-
public and its institutions in the true spirit
indicated by the Constitution in the highest
and broadest sense, and in transmitting,
unimpaired. the blessings and immunities
vouchsafed to us, to those who shall take
our places in the great future.
wishing all a most joyous reunion and
hoping that at some future gathering I
may have the opportunity Of meeting the
survivors of that army never-to-be-recruit-
ed, remain, with the highest esteem,
Your friend and comrade;
Mt Ceperal"