The Washington times., 1902-12-21
President and Secretary of
War Would Secure the
Advice and Counsel OF
Best Military Experts.
Selection of Adna B Chaff5e
to Command Amy on Re-
tirement of Gen. Young
Announced.

hold them blameless. and assembling
your board OF directors correct the fault
and then. and then only. hold all to a
rigid account This IS exactly the course
Secretary Root proposes. IL is matter
OF as much concern to every citizen as
to the army itself. Nations no longer
maintain armies 10 make war, but TO
prevent e.
We support an army to protect our
selves against the possibilities rather
than the probabilities Of the future
Force is. and always will be. an element
Of government. and. like insurance, ex-
pensiye. and yet wise and prudent pro-
vision. You are better satisfied IL never
called upon to realize upon Il; should.
however. the day Of reckoning come. you
and your Children's children will re-
joice that IL does not fail you. The very
same principles should be applied in as
suring your country against possibilities
OF the Calamities OF war. In both cases
wisdom and prudence suggest only the
best.
Destiny Of Nation.
"On the stability and efficiency OF our
army and navy may possibly depend the
destiny OF the nation. Persuaded that
Secretary Root offers that which is good
for the army. and the interests OF the
whole country. are you. as patriotic cit
liens. willing 10 take any chance and
lose the benefit OF timely counsel? There
can be but one answer: you are not
confidently assume that / have the sym
pathy and cordial approval OF the best
thought OF the service and particularly
Of the two distinguished generals whom
II Is my pleasure to join with you In
biddiI & welcome TO the FIRST city OF my
native State
'YoJ Joined me In hearty congratula-
tions on the prospective promotion OF
gallant General Young TO the rank Of
lieutenant general in August next. To
follow him in that grade. you will have
the further pleasure Of rejoicing with
me In the promotion OF my longtime
friend and comrade, deer old Chaffee
While our careers on the active list
have not wholly run. We are nearing the
end Our long service makes US COM
petent 10 bear testimony. Each OF US has
already more than forty years service,
and collectively it covers almost a
century and a quarter. While our service
has been long, and al times tedious and
severe, We have the satisfaction that
goes with abundant reward. In passing
let me say that In each general present
spiration that will cheer him on. each
OF us having started on our careers as
farmer boys with no aid but our own ef-
forts-demonstrating in a way that 10
this country all things are possible to.
all men.
"Th, young man who enters the army
should understand that he consecrates
his life 70 patriotism and comparative
poverty. The rewards Ia the army under
any conditions are few. The youth de-
sirous Of fame and fortune should not
seek place Ia the military service.
Civil life offers far more fruitful field.
In the army few can have high rank,
and but few OF these ever reach the dig
nifty Of real and everlasting fame In all
our history Washington. Grant. Sherman
and sheridan alone have reached 10.
Many others have achieved high rank
and great distinction and the respect
aud admiration OF their cOuntrymen. The
same talent application and enterprise
that gains rank and distinction I'm the
army would IN the business OF profes-
sional world bring far greater reward
both in the way OF position and compen-
sation.
Many deserving officers wear their
lives away without the reward OF rank
The fact is. there never has been or ever
will there be places for all or any con-
siderable number OF the deserving. how
ever strong their claims so that at life's
end the greater number must console
themselves with the consciousness Of
duty well done THIS is not the reward
that glitters. but Il comforts. and all In
all 10 is about the best that can come
TO the mcst favored. II is within the
reach Of all and we can but call him
fortunate who gains IT. but continued
effort. and the constant application OF
the principles OF true manhood are
necessary 10 its possession. II is a deco
ration that the man with the gun can
win quite as readily as the officer with
the sword. u i- becoming the citizen and
soldier alike"