The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1890-06-13
Dancer SIGNAL.

taken from the Progressive Farmer,
of some weeks since, and suggest that
it be read with care. The matter re-
quires the most profound considera-
tion:.
We are not Of those that shout
danger ahead" unless there is good
cause to do So There is danger
ahead, and only those who are blind
ed by party or are SO Indifferent to
the fate of our country as to not care
for results can rest contentedly when
the knowledge of complete revolution
OF our system of free government is.
theirs.
/ "Old Fogy" feels that he would be
remiss in his duties did he not ap-
prise his people of. the snares and
pitfalls that are now in the road
before them. No fact is better estab-
lished than that free countries have
lost their freedom by becoming indif-
ferent to legislation that places all
power in the hands of the command
ers the army.
When concentration of wealth be-
gins, then concentrated wealth feels
the need of the strong arms of the
military to protect it.
The people are slow to act. They
stood still and saw their fellow-men
shot down like dogs, and for what :?
Because they did not want to be
treated as slaves and serfs. They
wanted wages that would keep their
wives and little ones from starvation.
Will they do it again? That re-
mains to be seen. The War Depart
ment of the United States issued an
order to the Adjutant- General of
Ohio, l say Of Ohio, for we only know
OF that through the quarrels of poll
ticians, and in it we find the follow
ing:
"This department has for some
time past, under the orders, and
sanction OF the Secretary OF War,
been occupied in collecting military
information
ct is not to be supposed they col
lected such information from Ohio
alone.)
He further says that they have
division for collecting military infor-
nation and he suggests that the
question asked be answered at an
early day, and all this information
will he considered strictly confidential
and for fear this is not enough, says
we want this information gathered
in quiet manner. He desired to
know:
LIST. Location, size and strength
OF all military organization, the
number that could be relied on for
prompt and active service for nine
months.
I'd. Which are the best for Skin
mishes and which the most expert
rifemen?
Sd. Mark the third. eve want to
know in order that we may know
how they can be concentrated at a
given point to repel invasion GU or
prevent domestic violence OF magni-
tude."
Brother farmer, what does all this
mean? Is there any danger offoreign
invasion? We have heard in the last
decade Of Spain, of Germany and OF
England having difficulties with
our government. All these have
been peaceably settled, amicably ad-
justed. have heard it boasted by
army officers and members of Con
gress that no country dared to take
up arms against us. Are we not en-
joying peace with all the world?
Have we not always boosted that we
had the smallest standing army in the
world? Why shall our policy be
changed? Does it mean war? No, it
does not. l say so because the Pres
ident would then be required to call
on the States pro rata. An invasion
of Canada means war with England,
and in that event We would need
every available man, and not few
expert skirmishers and rifiemen.
A bill has been introduced giving
the President power to call out the
militia of the several States when in
his opinion it is necessary.
The Cons titutiOn of the United
States says: ''The President shall
UC ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS VI UllC dTIlly
and navy of the United States and of
the militia OF the several States
when called into the actual service
of the United States.''
The Constitution further provides
that Congress mot the Presidency
shall declare war.
Does the President need more pow
er now than in 1860? President
Lincoln had power to carry on most
destructive war of modern times.
Does Harrison need more power
now? Let us examine Gen. Hender-
sons proposed law.
First. to repeal the old law of 1892
which makes it obligatory upon the
government to provide that every
citizen between Is and 45 shall be
constantly provided with a good
rifle, quarter OF a pound of powder
on6 On hollis fTho Con.%;+,,4:2~o1