The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1908-04-24
FRIDAY AFTERNOON. APRIL "a. 1908
MILITARISM.

Inoro is ITO IccIluS Ill GliO Aiiiio
Of the American people more easily
excited, and none that should be
more thoroughly repressed than
that of militarism. 1t was never
intended by the founders OF our
republic that this should be mill,
tary nation. 1t was far from the
thought of our fathers, that this
beloved American republic, which
they sacrificed so much to establish,
should depend for it's perpetulty,
or it's position among the nations
of the world, upon standing armies
and colossal navies.
And yet we are getting more and
more into this idea. There IS
something in the splendor OF the
eraulettes and swords Of the army
that dazzles the eyes and turns the
heads of our people. No hero is so
vociferously applauded as the mill
tary hero. This has on several oc-
casions in the history Of our coun-
trT made men who had no special
qualifications for the Office presl-
dent of the United States. The
drum and fife and the gold lace
ne only captivate silly girls, but
often men, who ought to under
stand and appreciate our form OF
government better, and not be car
riel away by tinsel and show.
and then, with what awe and
admiration many look upon the
great warships Of our navy. And
what immense sums Of money are
every year expended in building up
and maintaining the American
navy. The naval appropriation
5iil which passed congress a few
DAYS ago, carries the enormous sum
of $1O3, 100000 and this was after
the naval committee had cut out
two great battleships which the
President was anxious to have
built. The argument that is con-
stantly put forward in favor OF
this great naval establishment IS
thai it will insure the peace OF the
country; that is, that other nations
kno wing our naval strength Will
not make war upon us.
Ii there is anything in this argu-
men, it brings us to consider the
causes of this assumed danger. We
new n heard Of any special danger
of var with other nations, such as
makes it necessary for this ire
merdous preparation, until, under
the policy Of the republican party,
our country was pushed into the
Orient, and made to assume the
responsibility of holding colonial
pos sessions, position which the
Democratic party has always main
tanned is against the traditions and
genius Of our government.
The people of our country should
net Be carried away by the glamour
OF r2iiitarism, but should insist that
the amy be reduced to the mini
mula number necessary to man oul
mil sSary posts, and that a halt bf
call.d in the enlargement OF oul
nav. And then, just as soon a.
we can escape from the middle int
viii n the Republican party ha
put us in the far east, Withdraw
from the Philippines, which W
never should have entered AM
let the inhabitants of the islands
at the earliest moment they can d
so, manage their own affairs.
And then let our country go o.
working out the great mission
which our wise fathers intended
showing to the world the spectacl
of prosperous, happy, self-goverr
ing people, and thus making on
land, with it's representative forr
of government, the inspiration an
hope of all the liberty-loving pee
pies of the world. Let us, as pee
pie, be proud of our record Q
peace and not Of war, remembering
"Thats peace hath her victories n
less renowned than war.
EVERY victory that has bee