Marietta daily leader. (Marietta, Ohio) 1895-1906, 1901-06-04
The American Soldier
As
A Man of Peace.

Inc AMERICAN OOlulel as HldH vi |
Peace" at the Memorial Services at the
Auditorium:
From the inception of our govern
ment, the American soldier has held |
an exalted position in the history of |
warfare. The influences, which make
an American citizen result in product |
unique among the races of man, are al
recognized among the peoples of the /
earth. The motives leading him to en-
ter the ranks of war are in strange
contrast to those less worthy, which !
have often inspired the soldiers of 9TH
er nations. Ambition, revenge, desire
of conquest love of excitement and
hope of plunder, have been the causes
of many wars, and the motives that
have spurned on many a warrior.
The soldiers of Rome and of France
under Napoleon, though gallant and
heroic. were yet so many trained ami
mails, taught to hurl spear or WELD
a sword at the command of their mas
ters, bent on conquest. The emotion
inspiring tho American soldier. these
men never knev a1ll they lacked t,
higher qualities of heroism.
The American soldier is a man of
dltions necessary to that end. He is
such because he is the product of the
American civilization. He has been
reared in an atmosphere of freedom;
in country where the rights of men
are respected. He is surrounded by
republican institutions and by social
conditions that are conducive to tran
guilty and industry.
The American soldier under normal
conditions is the simple citizen; under
abnormal conditions, the soldier. He
does not constitute a separate class as
in many other countries. Our stand
ing army because of it's limited num-
bers has incurred the sneers and jibes
of other nations; yet in the hour of
necessity, the ranks are filled as by
magic, with the best troops the world
ever saw. At the first call for volun-
war, but filled with the valor of peace,
have answered the roll call by millions,
and what they may have lacked in dis
ciphne, they have made up for in in
telligence, earnestness and determina-
tion.
The American soldier feels that he
has something to fight for He fights
for his home and fireside; for his
country and her institutions. He be-
lleves in her principles and is willing
to die for them; he loves her govern
ment, her civilization, her progress and
the peace and happiness she means
for him.
He is a man of peace, but not crav-
en-. Peace is something so dear to
him that once threatened he will
stake his all to defend it. 1t becomes
has strongest motive as a man of war.
When life. liberty and the pursuit of
happiness, the requisites of peace, are
endangered, then he comes forward
and tenuers his aid to protect them.
Such has always been the spirit of the
American soldier. He inherited it
from the first settlers of the land;
those hardy pioneers who fleeing the
strife and oppression of the old world,
sought land where they might be
free, happy and contented, and where
| the sword might never be unsheatned.
| 1t was the same spirit that dominat-
ed our Revolutionary fathers. They
did not rebel against England because
they took any pleasure in war, but be-
cause their rights were disregarded.
| They fought in great cause and their
victory was an important one in the
annals of universal progress.
The Revolutionary soldiers showed
that they were not afraid to fight if
need be, but when independence was
won, they also showed the world that
they were thankful to turn again tC
the things of Peace. They were glad
to stop fighting, for they were weary
of the conflict; sick of battle-felds and
carnage 1t was then that their great
commander advised an avoidance OF
entangling alliances with foreign
powers, believing that armed conflicts
are repugnant to the genius of the Am
eIican people. They were lovers ol
peace and of peaceful pursuits, they
were home and nation builders. ant
these were reared upon the foundations
of industry, education and tranquility
Aware of the defects of prevailing
government, and of their failure to in
sure the blessing of peace, and believ
ing in the equal rights of man, and be
ing imbued with democratic ideas
they went beyond all precedent ant
proceeded to give the republican form
of government test. such as it hat
never yet received.