Willmar tribune., 1900-09-12

GERS tor manning its defenses, for emer-
gencles, and to form the nucleus in case
OF need for larger forces, should rely
IN the main for the defense of its insti-
tutlOns on its volunteer citizen sOldierv.
lhs we have done in the past, and this
is IN harmony with the theory of Our in
st.tutlons and the views Of the fathers.
Gen. Knox, a Revolutionary soldier,
who was the first secretary of war un-
der Washington, and under whom our
army establishment was organized, used
this language in his first report, which
was forwarded to congress by President
Washington with his approval:
1T IS the intention of the present at
tempt to suggest the most efficient sys-
tenn OF defense which may be compati-
BILE with the interests OF free people.
= The modern practice of E1-
rope with respect to the employment of
a standing army has created such a
mass OF opinion in their favor that even
philosophers and advocates for labor
have frequently confessed their use and
interest in certain cases. Whoever Sc
rlously and candidly estimates the
power of discipline and the tendency of
military habits will be constrained to
confess that whatever may be the eff
cheney OF standing army in war, it
cannot IN peace be considered as friend
" to the rights of human nature *
A small corps of we'll disciplined and
we'll informed artillerists and engineers
and legion for the protection OF the
frontiers and magazines and arsenals
are all the military establishment which
may be required for the present use Of
the United States. The privates of the
corps to be enlisted for certain period,
and after the expiration OF which to re-
turn to the mass OF the citizens. An
energetic and national militia is to be
regarded as the capital security of free
republic, and not a standing army,
forming distinct class in the commu-
nifty. 1t is the introduction and diffu-
sion OF evil and corruption Of manners
into the mass Of the people that rem
ders standing army necessary. 1t is
when public spirit is despised and avar-
Ice and Incidence and effeninacy of
manner predominant and prevent the
establishment of institutions which
would elevate the mind OF the youth in
the paths of virtue and honor that the
standing army is formed and riveted to-
ever"
WHY ANY INCREASE?
Are the people of the United States
prepared to turn their back on these
words Of caution from the past? What
reasons are assigned for the increase of
our standing army to 100000, according
to the imperialistic programme? They
say that we have grown to be a great
populous nation, and, as such, should
have respectable army like the other
powers OF earth. If empire and con-
quest are Our programme for the future,
perhaps, yes. If the protection OF our
institutions and the development of our
industries and commerce is our aim,
then l say, no. There may be good
reasons for an increase in the naval es-
tablishment, for the states have no ma
val militia, but there is none for the ma
terra! increase of our standing army.
But instead of arguing this proposition
on theoretical and political grounds, let
us look at it from the taxpayers stand
point. Let lis count the cost of our
present military establishment. Let me
cite you to the last report Of the secre-
tary OF war. He says, on page 60:
The summary Of expenditures for
the fiscal year 1899, appropriations and
allotments for 1900, and estimates for
1901, is as follows: