Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1912-09-13

Below we publish extracts from
letter written by Gen. Nelson A.
Miles Of " ashiugton, d. c., on
the political situation of 1919. The
article is an able one and is worthy
careful consideration by every Am
erlcan citizen. The letter, in part,
10 as follows:
Never during the history of the
Republic have the citizens been
brought face to face with such seI :
ious political condition. Neither
have they been called upon to solve
so important problem as the one
now presented to the American peo-
pie. Such crisis has never before
been experienced in our country,
and | trust it may never occur
again. II IL a question Of constitu-
tional government and communism.
A question whether we shall main.
tain the institutions established by
our fathers and traditions that have
been held sacred for more than q
century or permit them to be de-
stroyed. 1t ia question whether
the constitution, the statutes and
principles of our government, Great
cd and maintained by the wisdom
and patriotism of the past century, i,
shall continue, whether all shall be
thrown and replaced by visionary
theories, improbable ideas, and
the concentration of all political
power, with the control of all pub
lie and private interests at the ma
tional capitol. This for the graft
tication of the mad, selfish ambition
of one man who for years has been
aspiring and intriguing to become a
dictator. What q picture for the
world! What condition for the
serious thought and patriotic action
of our sovereign citizens! 1t is far
more important and vital than Local
issues or partisan politics. Fol-
more than century the great re.
public has developed and prospered
as no other nation has during the
worlds history. It has attracted
capital from all other countries. and
has become the home of the IN.
telligent and prosperous as wei
as the oppressed, from every part
of the globe. Under our consti.
tuition and system of represents.
tive government, principally ad
ministered by two great political
parties, our country has been bless
ed with an almost continuous career
of prosperity. Yet we are told tina
our constitution, now acknowledged
the world over as the greatest eve
framed by human wisdom. is defec.
tive and should be made subject Il
frequent and sudden changes &C
cording to the caprice of a maiorit.
of our voting population, and tha
the two great parties that have con
tributed 90 much to the welfare o
the nation are infiicient and worth
less. Notwithstanding this, in &C
cordance with o well established
custom, the two great political part
les have held their national conven
tions, published their declaration o
principles, and deslgnated eInlnen
statesman as candidates for the high
est position of trust and responsi.
bility, men who will command tn
respect and confidence of the Amer
can people. For months an ex
president struggled to become tn
candidate of one of those CONVEX
tlons.
To the Republican party he is il
debted for all that he is, and frol
tha: party and the American peopl
has received the hihgest honors
which he was never entitled. Nc
being successful we now zee him rutl
lessly trying to destroy his own pa
" and the sacred traditions of OF
government, and openly and an
blushingly violating his own sacre
word of honor. l trust that OF
oountrymen will think deeply an
act wisely before they permit OF
government to follow the fate tn
has befallen other republics \
usnrper or despot ever succeed'
until the people of the country we
10 . condition snd mood to pa
uader vac tyranny Of dictate