The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1900-09-29

GERS for manning its defenses, for emer-
gencies, and to form the nucleus in case
OF need for larger forces, should rely
in the main for the defense of its insti-
tutlors on its volunteer citizen soldiery.
This we have done in the past, and this
is in harmony with the theory Of our in
st1tutlons 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-
TEN Ut defense which may be compati-
pie with the interests of free people
x The modern practice of I.l-
rope with respect to the employment Of
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
riously and candidy 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:ln peace be considered as friend
ly to the rights of human nature y
A small corps of we'll disciplined ands
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. Ans
energetic and national militia is to be-
regarded as the capital security of free
republic, and not standing army
forming distinct class in the comm1--
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 efeninacy 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?
Arc 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 goodt
reasons for an increase in the naval es-
tablishment, for the states have no ma
val militia, but there is none for the ma
terial 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 us 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: