St. Paul daily globe., 1895-02-10
lN0zss~ p 5@~naz~u,
COL. JAMES H. DAVIDSON.
Commander Acker Post, G. A. r.

Commander Acker Post, III. n. Ia.
The nations military in my judg-
ment, should be carefully fostered
and encouraged. 1t should always
be in condition to be judiciously used
to preserve order at home, and, if
occasion ever requires, to repel in
vaSion from abroad. To keep. peace
with all nations is most easily (and
with the smallest cost secured by
those who break the peace; in short,
''to fight for peace" and lick the
enemy" in the briefest possible time,
with the least outlay Of money and
men.
Had it not been for the prompt
and efficient use of our national
guard and the regular army in sup
pressing riots and putting down dis
orders connected with strikes in re-
cent years, we would have lost un-
told millions of property and a null
titude OF lives. This employment Of
the military was made with the
hearty approval of most people. A
small minority, when they defy the
laws of their country and attempt
to paralyze traffic, and prevent 9TH
ers from working (who are willing
and eager to work., need to be put
down" at once. While the general
public might be (and iS) lenient
toward them, there is no such liberty
as our constitution and the whole
spirit of free institutions contem-
plate until any man and every man
may work for any wages he chooses
to accept, whether some other man
has Jumped the job or not. When
man can't take any job offered him
and at any wage he and his en-
pIoyer may agree upon, then his lib
erty is curtailed, and he is no more a
free man than if he was tied hand
and foot and dumped into a bastile.
There can never be any danger of
military despotism while troops vol
unteer or ..regular) are simply used
to inforce law and preserve order.
In time of peace there is always
a list of Supernumerary officers who
might be detailed literally to in
struct in schools, colleges and uni
versities. The drill itself is most
healthful, and tends to develop the
physical powers of boys and make
them strong, healthful and useful;
and it would encourage a martial
and patriotic spirit. A couple of
hours sharp, quick drill in simple
military evolutions every week
would do more to make the boys and
young men strong, erect, healthful
than twelve hours of "namby pamby'
sports-shaking dice, playing check
ers or the ordinary indoor amuse-
ments of the young.
There is nothing in the claim that
cultivation of the military spirit
may yretard the advance of humanity
and civilization. The most advanced
races of our age (and of all ages
have now and always have had the
best drilled armies and the bravest
soldiers of the world.
The military spirit holds a high
place in my estimation. Japan has
it, China hasn't, and the result is
that after a few more bloody battles
Japan will hold the respect of the
world, and will conquer a peace
that will probably be lasting. The
military spirit is far preferable to
the effeminancy and luxury that
have destroyed races and nations
as far back as history extends. Give
us more Of the military spirit and
less of corruption and ambition for
wealth. 1 believe our regular army
should be strengthened and en-
larged, and then it would be on a
peace footing"
Yes, I do emphatically approve the
suggestion of Lafayette post to teach
all our boys in our public schools
some military drill" 1t would
make them better students, stronger
physically and mentally; and, if
their country ever needs their SER
vices, they would be partially, at
least, equipped to render such ser
vice. The strength of any govern
ment rests with the high average
quality Of it's masses.
ain not well enough posted about
the boys brigade to discuss the or
ganization; but, as far as I know,
it is most admirable organization,
and pledges it's members to good
habits, teaches regularity and
promptness, and instructs them in
the Simpler military movements.
The results, as far as they have
come under my observation, are ex-
cellent, and it is to be hoped that the
organization may extend and
greatly multiply in numbers. Last
Memorial day the boys brigade
made as handsome division as any
that marched in the procession. 1t
attracted the most attention of any
division, except, perhaps, the reg
ulars from Fort Smelling.