Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-03-24
Why Not a Naval Reserve in Maine?

The events of the last year have
served to emphasize in the public mind
not only the importance of a material
increase in our navy. but also the in
crease and careful instruction of the
naval reserve. Such volunteer forces
would be of inestimable value in case
of war, in enabling the government to
man promptly and effectually tho YES
sells that could. under the pressure Of
necessity be hurried into the service
They desefN the most cordial and lib
ment The naval reserves of New
York and Massachusetts. have already
attracted very general attention and
commendation by the efficiency of
their work. The government can use
a portion Of its navy Yin no better way
than in giving these naval reserves
annual drill and training upon the
ocean. The movement is yet young;
but it is we'll worthy of extersion in
all the seaboard states With its i'm
mense stretch Of seacoast. and its
large number of seafaring men, the
State of Maine Offers peculiar adVan-
tages for the formation of such a IA
val reserve. and it would be compare
force in this State, and. with the CO.
operation of the navy department. Sc
cure for ii high degree of efficiency
We have never had any sympathy
with those who We're disposed to carp
at the expenditures for militia pur-
poses. The fact that a considera hle
portion of our State is bounded by the
Dominion of Canada, makes it spec
tally important that we should have
at our command a well drilled ami
well equipped militia force. We do
think. however, that the protection of
property interests, and its easy acces-
sibilty to foreign attack, might wisely
be given a far greater measure of cor
sideration than has ever yet been ac-
corded it. The comparatively defense
less condition of the Maine coast at the
present time, is matter of common
knowledge. 1t has no defenses worthy
of the name, and in case of hostilities
with any foreign power, it would be
at the mercy of a comparatively small
fleet Is it not the part of prudence to
provide, so far as practical against
this weakness? No lover of his
country's welfare would fail to deplore
even the contingency of a war with any
foreign power: but such wars are IL
able to come, and come when least ex-
pected. AS President Cleveland we'll
| said, in his Venezuelan message,
There is no calamity that great ma
ton can invite which equals that
which follows supine submission to
| wrong and injustice. and the conse-
quent loss of national self-respect and
honor beneath which is shielded and
protected a peoples safety and great
ness"
Tho people of this State should spare
no effort in securing a reasonable por-
ton of whatever expenditures the ma
tional government may make for coast
Gefenses, for our own harbors Port
land harbor, in particular should be
tut at the earliest possible date, in q
good state of defense. 1t is an old mil
itary axiom, whose force has been
many times demonstrated, that the
best means of preserving peace is to be
prepared for war
The formation of good naval re-
serve in this State would we believe. be
measure of wise precaution. The
conditions are certainly most favorable
for it. Such an organization would.
we believe, be not only credit to our
state. but would furnish it with a
means of defense, fully as important
as that afforded by our State militia.