The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-02-21

shrewdness. strength. valor, and per-
sonal intelligence. The natural initia-
tive Of the American and the general
fearlessness of responsibility are as con-
spicuous among the soldiers as in the
nation at large.
When we contemplate the colossal
sacrifice of human life in the Federal
and Confederate armies during the civil
war. on the altar of patriotism and love
OF country. for principles which. al
though Numerically opposed, were
equally dear to their hearts. we are
profoundly impressed with the inheri-
tance OF grand qualities in our people
which enable them to give their lives
willing sacrifice to their country. This
unselfsh patriotism displayed by our
soldiers OF our country during the civil
war commanded the admiration OF the
world. Neither Northerner nor South
erner considered his life the most pre-
cious Of earthly possessions.
New Generations to Profit.
The children Of these men are. as
much as may be. to become the beneh-
Charles OF this War College directly, in
directly. or remotely. We owe 1t to
them that they shall have fair oppor-
tunlty for discipline Of the mind; for
improving and fostering those inherent
qualities which gave birth TO our ma
ton: which guarded us in our infancy;
which sustained us in childhood. and
which carried us 10 where We stand to-
day, the leading nation OF the world. We
owe IL 10 the memory OF these brave
patriots who sacrificed their lives on
the field Of glory that we might live and
enjoy the government of the most ben
eficent OF nations.
Rather than assume that soldiers are
consumed by an inordinate and blood
thirsty ambition. It is better to believe
that n man who has been brought up
from his youth TO render loyal obedi-
ence is less likely to run counter TO con-
stituted authority than one who has not
Our armies IL Cuba. in Porto Rico. and
in the Philippines turned over their
conuuests to civil officers as soon as war
had ceased.
The Servant of the State.
THE solid foundation OF the unseIfsh
patriotism Of the American soldier is
his great pride in the manhood of his
race.
Having gained lhis prominence among
nations. we must be diligent and vigilant
TO maintain this supremacy by studious.
righteous and just system of national
administration and international rela-
tions. a- -rses --F.4 -
In all nations war is the instrument
OF diplomacy: in our country the soldier
is the servant Of the state. There is.
then. a logical reason for this institu-
ton for the laying of whose cornerstone
we are assembled here today under the
shadow of the Capitol OF our country.
The art OF war is difficult. To apply
strategic principles correctly the COM
mander must be able to accommodate
strategy to political exigencies. He
must have a clear knowledge OF men as
well as OF questions or supplies and
transportation in all their numerous
branches OF sanitation. and OF every
detail concerning the moral and physi-
cal well-being OF his troops. ''''''
But as it is impossible for a com
mander to personally superintend all
the details necessary to the thorough
preparation OF an army for efficient field
operations he must be surrounded by an
efficient staff-a body OF trained officers
who have studied and worked out TO a
successful solution all problems in these
questions. and who realize the enormous
responsibilities that rest on the com
mander who has in HIS keeping not only
the lives Of the patriotic soldiers. but
the honor and the life of his Govern
ment.