Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-08-08

ing address on the occasion of his re-
tirement from active service:
General Orders No. 49,;
Headquarters of the Army,
Washington, Aug. 5, 1908.
'In accordance with the provisions
of the act of Congress of June 80, 1882,
the undersigned will retire from the ac-
tive service, Aug s, 1903.
I'm relinquishing fha command OF
the army of the United y States. Il to
which he was assigned by tR6sEaesi-
dent. Oct. >, 1895, he hereby acknowl-
edges his appreciation of the fidelity
manifested by the officers and soldiers
during the past eventful years.
ITO those who were his companions
and associates during one of the great
est of all wars, he takes pleasure in
expressing his qualification that they
have lived through the trials and dan
gers of long service to witness the re-
suits of their fortitude, heroism and
unseldsh devotion to the welfare of
their country. They have also in a
most commendable manner exemplified
to the younger generation of soldiers
those principles of discipline and patri
otism which make the army the pro-
tector and defender and never the mem
ace of the nation and its liberties.
THE time and occasion are consid-
cred opportune for expressing to the
army a few thoughts concerning it's
past and that which may effect its flu
ture welfare. 1t is from the best inn
pressions and influences of the past
that the most desirable results may
be realized in the future.
"Unswerving devotion to our govern
ment and the principles upon which it
was established and has been main
tanned is essential to the efficiency of
the national forces, and especially is
this so in democratic government
where the individuals, in order to be
perfect.. soldiers, must first be a true
citizen. The boast that every soldier
of great nation carries marshaTs
hat on his knapsack is in Il higher
sense more than equalled in signifi-
canoe by the fact that every American
soldier personfies 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 it. thereby aiding to
secure for his country a moral inilu-
ence not otherwise attainable.
During the darkest hour of our his
tory the first commander of the Amer
lean forces demonstrated the grandeur
and nobility OF his character by com
batting the evil influences then prevail
ing the army and by manfesting thu
strongest confidence and faith in TIL
ultimate justice and integrity of hi
government. His words of wisdom
uttered at Newburg one hundred ant
twenty years ago had the effect of in
spring "uneXampled patriotism AM
patient virtue rising superior to tn
pressure of the most complicated suf
ferings." 1t is one of the glories of on
country that the army has maintaine
these principles for more than cen
fury.
1.-The commanders of the army sue
ceeding Washington have by their eX
ample influence and orders, maintaine
the highest degree of efficiency. discip
line and patriotism. Since its organiza
ton the army has been charged with
great variety of. responsibilities. a
subordinate defending the country an
maintaining the rights if its citizens.
In the discharge of its manifol
duties the army has confronted enemie
representing every stage. of human dc
veiopment, from the highest civiliza
ton yet obtained. to savagery and bal
barism. 1t has ever been its duty I
observe in war these chivalries an
humane principles by which inevitab
horrors are SO greatly mitigated whi
by unyielding prosecution of warfal
against armed forces its valor has bee
demonstrated.
THE events of recent years ha,
placed upon the army new obligatio
and an opportunity for a broader e,
qualification of its country's principle
The United States army is now brougl