Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-08
ADDRESS TO THE ARMY
GENERAL MILES ANNOUNCES HIS
RETIREMENT.
Points to the High Standard Maintain
ed by the Organization Over Which
He Has Held Command.

He Has Held Command.
Following a precedent established by his
predecessors in office. Lieutenant General
Miles. commanding the army. issued gen
eral order announcing his retirement today
and taking official leave Of officers and en-
listed list. General Miles order is as fol-
lows:
General Orders No. 116.
Headquarters of tho Army,
Washington, August 8, 1908.
In accordance with the provisions Of the
act Of Congress Of June 80, 1882, the under
signed will retire from the active service
August 8. 1905.
In relinquishing the command Of the army
OF the United States. to which he was as
signed by the President October 2. 1895. he
the fidelity manifested by the officers and
soldiers during the past eventful years.
To those who were his companions and
associates during one OF the greatest Of
his qualification that they have lived
through the trials and dangers Of long serv-
Ice to witness the results Of their fortitude,
heroism and unselhsh devotion to the well
fare of their country They have also in
q most commendable manner exemplifed to
the younger generation Of soldiers those
principles Of discipline and patriotism which
make the army the protector and defender.
and never the menace, OF the nation and
its liberties.
The time and occasion are considered OPP
perfume for expressing to the army a few
thoughts concerning its past and that
from the best impressions and Influences of
the past that the. most desirable results
may be realized in the future.
answering devotion to our government
i1n MI xvy1f 4L q
tablished and has been maintained, is es-
sential to the efficiency Of the national
forces, and especially is this SO in a demo-
cratic goyernment where the individual. in
order to be a perfect soldier. must first be
true citizen. The boast that every SOL
dler OF great nation carried q marshaIs
baton in his knapsack rs in a higher sense
more than equaled in Significance by the
fact that every American soldier persona
hes sovereign citizenship and may by his
own conduct exemplify impartial Justice to
those who have never experienced It, and
the results of the highest liberty to those
who have been strangers to 1t. thereby aid
ing to secure for. his country q moral in
fiuence not otherwise Tattainable. During
the darkest hour OF our history the first
commander Of the American forces demon
strated the grandeur and nobility Of his
character by combating the evil influences
then pervadings the armyand by manifest
Ing the strongest confidence and faith in
the ultimate Justice and integrity of his
government. His words of wisdom uttered
at Newburg one hundred and twenty years
ago had the effect of inspiring ''unexampled
patriotism and patient virtue, rising su-
perier to the pressure of the most compli-
Gated sufferings." 1t Is one Of the glories
OF our country that the army has main
tained those principles for more than a
century.
The commanders Of the army succeeding
Washington have by their example,, influ-
ence and orders engendered and maintained
the highest degree of efficiency discipline
and patriotism.
Since its organization the army has been
charged with great variety of RESPONSE
bilities. all subordinate to defending the
country and maintaining the rights of Its
citizens.
In the DISCHARGE of its manifold duties
the army has confronted enemies represent
ing every stage Of human development from
the highest civilization yet obtained to
savagery and barbarism. 1t has ever been
its duty to observe in war those chivalric
and human principles by which inevitable
horrors are SO greatly mitigated, while by
unyteldin8 prosecution Of warfare against
armed forces its valor has been demon
strated
All honorable activity and life for the
army must exist within the well-denned
lines of patriotism, untarnished honor.
sterling integrity, impartial Justice. obe-
dience to rightful authority and incessant
warfare against armed enemies. Always
to maintain truth, honor and Justice re-
quires the highest moral courage, and is
S4uduy dS important a9 IN DaIIi0.
Drill, discipline and instruction are but
preparatory for the perfection and efficiency
Of an army.
The events Of recent years have placed
upon the army q new obligation and an
opportunity for a broader exemplifcatiOn
OF Its country's principles. The United
States army is now brought into daily COM
munioation with millions of people to
whom Its individual members Of every
grade are the opponents Of American civili-
zation. serious duty and a great honor
are now presented to every officer and SOL
der, namely, to exemplify to those with
whom he comes in contact our country's
principles of equal and exact Justice Ina
munity from violence. equality before the
law, and the peaceful use and possession
of his own.
Marked changes at different times have
occurred In the strength and organization
OF the army. resulting from diverse in
huences. and various experiments have been
tried. Time has rectifled errors In the past
and will do SO In the future. The lieuten-
ant general has faith that under all cir
cumstances the army WIN maintain its high
character. and its future viii be as honor
able and gloriousr as has been its history
In the past. His earnest solicitude and best
wishes will ever fQlIoX the fortunes Of the
army. .tNELSON A. MILES,
LIEUTENANT General. Commanding.