The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1900-08-25
The Threat Of xintarism.

The Threat Of kilitarism.
There Is such 4 persistent effort on
he part Of republican papers and
speakers to convince the people
that militarism Is not an issue and to
ridicule tho idea Of any danger In that
direction. that 1t is no, out Of place to
take a brief survey Of the conditions.
No one pretends 10 say that there is
any danger to our liberties from a
standing army Of 100000 men, mol
would there be from twice or three
times that number. Nor would the
necessary ncrease IN taxation for the
support OF that number Of men be
perceptible in the sense Of becoming
burdeusome. 1t is not the danger that
arises from any present military force
that creates the alarm.
The principle that makes it possible
to increase the standing army from 25,-
900 10 loo, 900 men at q time when the
nation is supposed to be at peace with
oil the world can just IS easily be ap-
Piled for the purpose Of again increas-
ing the army TO 400. 000 men at the
pleasure Of the government. 1t IS 9
principle Inar may 10 applied to indef-
nitely increase the army and eventually
make it Q power In the hands Of tie
government that could be very easily
used for thwarting the purpose Of the
people or even for perpetuating itself
despite any protest.
The regular soldier becomes a ma
chine that does the bidding Of bis
superior officer without question, never
considering and never allowing himself
to consider the moral right Of the com
mand 10 its effect on the people. Thii
Is true Of American as well as Of any
foreign soldier and must Of necessity b
true. Otherwise there Is no advantage
IN the regular military establishment
The volunteer makes the best and mos
: effective fighter on earth, because BIZ
passions are stirred and he feels that b.
is fighting tor & principle that must b.
sustained. But when the object 70
which be fights has been attained be !
incompetent for the irksomeness o
police duty while peace Is being full
restored and order being brought 90
Of chaos because be lacks the incentive
When orders are given be wants
know " by they are given and unless b
does the command Il ignored or obeye
grndgingly. 1t is here that the reguls
Is needed and Just because he obey
without asking questions and secaui
he has been trained to do 80. But I
country should be compelled to keep
standing army large enough to condu
} q war without volunteers. 1t is both
: menace 10 its liberty and q reaectic
on the loyalty Of It's citizens. Al
war that . nation may enter up
must certainly be unjust II Its ov
4 citizens will not volunteer TO prott
: the honor Of that nation. Beyond
standing army large enough for poll
. duty and to- form q nucleus for yolu
teers. this country certainly shot
9 not 60.
II It is imprActicable to pass q j
making it impossible to create q star
ing army beyond o certain limit,
a cause the very Administration Il
desired to increase the army col
repeal the law. This leaves Il entir
in the hands Of the people and make
4 imperative that they should RENT
4 from power the party that shows
tendency to iOlst upon this natio
Q large military establishment. In
editorial a few weeks ago the Kan
. City Journal had the tsmerity, |
> early 10 the proceedings, TO adVoC
sr compulsory military service. Rent
, Der this paper Is the leading eIpou
Of republican IDEAS In western Ais'OI
and ~ telling Us there is no dan
Of from militansm and at the same d
D. suggesting that we adopt the n
. hateful part Of the European syst
This certainly impresses US with
3. fact that there Is danger from q
tsnsm.