Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-08-28

proficiency In all soldierly excrcis,
and accomplishments"
And we have to note. that tbe n.
tional Guard of Maine is part of
grand army OF similar organizafions i
nearly every state and territory in tn
Union, an organized and discinIine
Iorce lio'oV strong. In round nun
bers there are 1900 cadets. 1000 nave
militia, oooo artillery, 5000 cavalry. an,
OF nfantry a fun 100, 600. Massachu
sets, New Jersey, South Carolina
Georgia, Illinois and California. hav,
from 5000 to 5000 each: P~ennsylvani;
a 5000 and New York 10000 me,
available for instant service. Thi.
fcfce could be mobilized at Boston
New YORK. Philadelphia, or Chicago
io'ooo IN IL hours, 10000 in "a hours; ir
20 hours 1000, and inside of six days
loo'ooo men of all arms, fully Differed
and equipped.
The general government shows its
interest by an annual appropriation Of
~sfoo'ooo' New York appropriates nearly
d nan Million, and six other states
more than 500. 900 each.
ms force, DR. the regular army. Is
inc servant Of no particular party. the
tool Or no partisan, the serf, Of no man
or set Of men. The arnories are
neither "Plutocracies BastlIles.o nor
de'ehccs for the apostles of anarchy
ana riot. The National Guard is a
force needed for the protection of every
IdW-abldlng citizen, of every lawful
interest. The laboring man and farm
er are as much interested in its main
tenance as the capitalist and the city
dWeller. What the commanding gen
cfal Of the army said. some weeks
since, Of the army, applies with equal
force to the National Guard. He said:
In recommending such increase in the
armament ana personnel Of the army
as is needed for the protection Of the
great cities. which are the centers Of
commerce. the homes of the laboring
man require and obtain protection as
Well as the palaces OF the rich" "If
the coast cities Of the country should
De burned down by the guns of a hos
tile fleet. the workshop. the factory,
the shipyard. the storehouse. tho
fouudries. the savings banks. win bc
destroyed with the city. ana the labor
ing mar as we'll as the capitalist
would. by the fire Of Il hostile fleet. b.
for safety back into the coun-
try. homeless and impoyerished.''
In this country no militarism. like
that Of Europe is desired ~ expected
were never the first 10 provoke
conflict. The first gun IN every war
hns been fired by an enemy. We be
In n fair and comprehensive sys-
tenn Of arbitration between nations.
We would like 10 be at peace with all
the world. But We believe In main
a state n national force sufi-
cicnt for border and coast defence
with tha necessary warships. guns. and
Qualifications: thu adequate support of
"a firm. vigorous. ana diguifieG foreign.
policy. and d trained force strous.
enough easily To crush an inciplcut
treason, to suppress lawless violence
70 protect life and property. To sustain
government IN the execution OF
the laws Of the states and Of the United
States. W" believe In peace with
honor. But ii is well to remember that
one wrote Of an ancient people is
in a measure applicable to a moderl|
nation. lie says: Tho Romans pre-
served peace by the constant prepara-
for war: and while justice regu-
their conduct. they announced vi
the nation on their confines that they
were as little disposed 10 endure as tn
offer injury"
While wars must be attended b.,
great evils, and scenes of suffering and
horror. yet as Gen. Howard wrote III
the March Forum, In the present state
of humanity wars cannot be averted
and the profession OF arms therefore is
honorable vocation for those who
desire TO defend the flag without fear
and without reproach. and to ~discharge
solemn obligations 70 God and nan"
Ultimately God will make wars u
cease unto the ends Of The earth. Till
then the nation must be prepared fol
the possibility of war; for the most
improbable conflict il il be even re
fnotely possible.
For any military service whatsoever
the good soldier is. as we have seen.
a strong man physically, possessed of
such moral virtues as courage. honor,
and patriotism, and certainly he Will
be no less valuable as a soldier If he
he also, a good soldier Of the Lord
Jesus Christ II is safe to say tina;
the Christians book, the Bible. is a
Sood book for any soldier, even from
49,. ~