“And such a man will get along best in the army?” I suggested.
“Most assuredly,” answered General Miles. “You can see that by looking
over the list of heroes in the past. They have always been men of
character. An officer should be a man of character, in order to
command the respect of his men. Without their respect and esteem, he
cannot succeed. With them, he can accomplish great things, if the
opportunity offers. Look at the regard which the English soldiers had
for the Duke of Wellington. It was chiefly based on his character, for
he was not what might be called a lovable man. His men were ready to
go anywhere that he sent them, for they knew their commander, and had
confidence in him. Character is as important in a great general as in
a great statesman or a great merchant. Character is just as necessary,
also, in the private as in the officer. It will command recognition in
time.”
“Would you say, General, that the army really holds out very great
chances for advancement?”
“I think it holds out as many chances as any profession or business
does; for in the army, as in business, merit wins every time, and if a
soldier has real merit, it is bound to be recognized, sooner or later.”
“There is a chance, then, for every man who goes into the army as a
private to become a general?”
“I don’t know that I would make the statement as strong as that, but I
believe that every soldier who deserves it will be promoted.”
“Would you advise young men to select the army in preference to other
professions?”
“That depends,” the general replied, “on the young man. If he is fairly
educated and properly trained, if his tastes are military, and he
understands the importance and duty of discipline, if he is willing
to learn and to obey, he will make no mistake in entering the army.
There are, of course, other circumstances, such as family claims and
associations which must have their bearing upon the choice of a career,
but, speaking from the standpoint of the army, I would say that it is a
good place for any young American with the right qualifications.”