Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-05-01
INSTANCE OF MILITARIsM.

The New York World tells a pathetic
story. which we'll illustrates the curse
Of mllltarism even In It's inclpient form.
The subject Of the story Is a young mar
Ia New York. who was torn from the
side Of a dying sister and broken
hearted mother, and thrown into jail,
because he was unable 10 pay $40, a
fine imposed upon him for neglecting
some military duties Incidents Of this
kind demonstrate what milltarism
really ls. Nations not yet bowed down
under the yoke should fight 1t, Like the
monster on the shoulders Of sinbad,
the sailor, IL Is almost impossible TO get
rid OF. when once In possession.
The young mar in question was Prl-
waite James L. Smith, company II, Of
the Eighth regiment Of the militia.
His father fought IN the Civil War,
until a wound made him an Invalid for
NE. His brother Joseph was among
the first TO enlist FOR the Spanish war,
and he and another brother enlisted In
the same regiment last January. Being
ont OF work lately, he had been unable
10 attend 10 his duties and pay his fees
regularly. with the result that the mill
tary authorities reported him and had
him fined $40,
His sister was sick Of consumption.
They had been playmates and loved n
another and the last desire OF the dying
woman was TO expire with her babies,
her mother and her brother near her.
So he stayed by her bedside, stroked her
hair and tried to inspire her with hope
and courage.
But one evening a deputy knocked at
the door with a warrant for the arrest
Of the brother He was taken away from
the family and thrown into Jail, as II he
had been a thief and the son Of a thief,
Instead Of a patriot and the
son OF a warrior for the aag. In Jail
the poor fellow Bneeled down before
his keepers. I'm not a criminal. he
cried. Let me 80 home to my dying
sister. 1 give you my word Of honor
that I'll be back IN the morning. She
may be dead thenl II 1 mad the so you
could have 1t. This win kill my poor
sister,
But such pleadings were in vain.
MlIitarlsm knows no heart hut that
which is made 20 be pierced by cold
steel or lead. He was kept In prison
over Easter Sunday, and all next week
Finally he received word that his sisteI
was dead. The treatment her brother
had received. broke her heart. Finally
the colonel heard Of the story and or.
dered the victim released. but too late
The poor fellow did not ven have tn
consolation OF being present at tn
funeral.
Would Il be any wonder II ever!
spark OF patriotism were eXtinguishe'
In the breast OF a young patriot, ate
such an experience? His statement q
the World is naturali
what use have 1 for any regimen
that sends me 20 jail like a commoi
thief because I haven't $40 20 pay a hnt
and my sister diving? l ala the bes
duty I know how, but ] was out O
work and ] couldn't always get there
Sometimes / vas out answering adyer
tisemcnts for work when my compan
was drilling. What could they eNpec
Of me?'
In Europe mllltarism is compulsory
It has forged its chains around tn
necl,s and ankles Of every young ma
with a sound physique, In this coun
try II Is not II should therefore b
careful. lest IN times Of danger, whe
the country asks for volunteers, the an
swer may come from many a mani
heart. what could they expect Z
me?" No duty Is so ardent that 1t ca
AFFORD to forget that the first duty
source OF income to doctors and drr
mFmrau