The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-03-29

General Nelson A. Miles, retired, sent
letter Of regret to the Democratic
Club Of Grand Rapids, MIehe which
was 10 give banquet this evening.
owing to floods the banquet was abb
andoned. General Miles has author
ized the publication Of his letter which
Is as follows;
Washington, March 26. 1904.
Mr.. Peter Doran, president Demo-
cratic Club, Grand Rapids, Mich,
my Dear sir:--I regret exceedingly
that owing to very serious illness
In my family find II impossible 10 be-
with you on the important occasion
which brings the members Of your club
and distinguished democrats from diff
ferent parts Of the country together.
also regret that II is impossible for
me to meet my gallant comrades In the
state OF Michigan
Having been Invited to speak on
the subject Of patriotism, ! should re-
ply, were I there, that patriotism
comes nearest the heart OF every true
citizen of our republic. It Is especially
fitting to give II serious c0nsidera-
tion at this time, when we are mem
aced by serious evils--when we are
approaching as serious risis In
our political history, and the veal Or
woe Of this republic will depend upon
the intelligence and patriotism OF the
sovereign voters. Their action during
the important event OF the coming
autumn will bless or seriously embar-
rass the future OF this country. IN
fact. the perpetuity Of our domestic
government depends. not upon the
presence Of great armies, the will Of
despot or the dictation Of any ruler.
bat entirely upon the patriotism Of our
citizens. Patriotism can not reign
within a selfish heart or depraved
soul. II is as pure as the light Of day
and cannot be dominated by evil mo-
tives. The patriotic can be inspired
only by the noblest impulses that ac-
tuate the spirit OF man. He cannot
be engaged In an unholy cause. The
leaders or participants in acts that
only result in conquest, devastation,
pillage and spoilation, are not patriots
Alas too often under the pretense OF
patriotism men have degraded 1t In
ruthless and cruel enterprises deaerv-
Ing condemnation rather than COM
mendatIon.
Men have been actuated by mo-
tives OF most selfish ambition or mer-
cIless avarice under the plea Of ad-
vancing civilization. On the other hand
we find instances Of heroic self sacri-
flee throughout the pages OF history.
Az far back aS the time OF the great
law giver who refers amid the spisn-
dors Of an Egyptian court. preferred
to espouse the cause Of his own peo-
pie. even though they were in hum
BILE condition. we find an early example
OF patriotism. Another is that OF the
Roman Consul and General, who,
while In the hands of the enemy was
given tho choice between liberty, af-
ter the betrayal OF his people, or tor
ture and death. He heroically refused,
his followers to renew their
efforts for the defense of the republic
and submitted himself to cruel and
ignomious death. \
patriotism Is illustrated in the acts
OF our fathers who, inspired by the
love OF liberty, contended against the
then most powerful nation of the
world. to establish our independence
that was heroic age, when resolute
men In every section of the sparsely
populated colonies of the Atlantic
coast espoused the cause OF freedom.
1t brought forward from among that
self reliant. sturdy race, the noblest
and bravest, the highest and the best
men Of any age or of
any country. Orators. scholars, states
men, soldiers, were the controlling
spirits. There never has been time
when both in war and peace this
country has not produced as strong a
class of men, itellectually, physically
and morally, as the men Of that age
"The highest, noblest and grandest
Of them all was that character who
was not only first In war, but first in
peace. The men Of America need not
look elsewhere than to the father of
their country for an examplar and
true patriotic character. No more in.
structive lesson could be given to the
Using generations than to point to
the public acts, the state papers, the
wise counsels.the remarkable prophecy