The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1900-11-23
PROCLAIMED MILIrARIsM.
for Larger standing
Army.

With an impudence that is not sur
prislng the imperialists have seized
upon the result of election as the na-
tons Endorsement Of McKinley's Phil
ppine policy of imperialism and milf
tarIsm. We say It is not surprising be-
carse four years ago we saw those who
are now leading the dance OF imperial
ISM with equal impudence claim a
sound money victory as the Endorse
meni Of a protective tariff system, and
the trust-breeding DingIey bill was
janimed through congress at an extra
SESSION OF congress. while. according 10
the confession of Secretary Gage, no
adequate sound money legislation has
been enacted yet.
In the last campaign we we're told
explicitly by every responsible repub-
lican stump speaker. by the candidates
and by the party organs that the is
sues OF militarism and Imperialism
wer' shams; that imperialism is impos-
sible- while there could be no such
thing AS militarism because next July
the army will be reduced 10 $4,000 men. ,
as i was for many years before the
Spanish war. We were distinctly as
suret that no standing army is con-
templated and that none would be
necessary because the war in The Phil
ippihes would cease with McKinley's
reelection.
Now, after such distinct disclaimers
of intent TO militarism and Imperialism.
isn't il the height of impudence for a
republican organ TO say. as the Utica
Pres does: "One thing settled by the
recent election was that 'militarism'
has no terror for the American people. ="
II mlitarism was not an issue of the
campaign as the press repeatedly con-
tendsd. how was anything about IL set
tied The Press then argues for large
standing army. at least 900 men,. u
says:
The largest number proposed Is none
too many for the army OF a nation OF the
wealth. numbers and Interest OF the
Unitet States. A standing army is no
menaee 20 the liberties OF Americans. nor
II u the burden that campaign orators rep
resent Every man who leaves the farm.
'the once. the mill. the railroad, the fac
tory 70 enroll In the army makes room for
anothsr worker. He does more: he en-
larges as a consumer the market for the
farner and manufacturer. thus contribute
ing q maintain wages and profits by IN
creasiag consumption.
"A greater army IL needed. The people
approve its raising The duty Of supplying
the need. In compliance with the popular
VIII, l. with congress. let II act without
delay N order that there may be no EN-
barrafsment In the Philippines from re-
duced ranks"
We simply call attention TO this false
claim that large standing army is APP
proved by the people. and show the
false reasoning by which the press un.
dertakes TO make a standing army at
tracti'e. The army would take mer
from the farm and factory and max,
room for other workers. aud then tn,
produces of these other workers woulC
be conaimed by the army and the mar
kefsI ftthe farmer aud manufacture
stiui1ated. What a good thing thi
wonld be al around. Why then hasn'
some one started prosperity boom be
fore by enlerging the army? How sim
pie Il Is. When times are hard enlarg,
the army and let them consume TIL
products Of the workers and everybod,
will become prosperous! The more idl,
men the better times.
But this reasoning omits the prime
consideration that the standing army /,
a charge upon the people. The greater
the army the greater the number o.
non-producers of wealth, and the cor
respoEdingly greater the burden o.
taxation TO be borne by the producers
How warped must be the idea in eco
Monies which sees in the standing army
a good thing. the same as ii saw few
years ago a good thing for business in
a brush of war. And how warped must
be the political conscience which now
proclaims its purpose to increase the
army. something which was disclaimed
al through the campaign. Our impe-
rislist friends may yet feel the truth OF
Lincoln's aphorism on the fooling OF