The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1914-05-01
UNIQUE AND ALONE IN HISTORY

ment or the armed forced of the Unit
ed States of America to enforce the
demands made upon Victoriano Huer-
"a. in a speech among other things.
said:
Nations deal with nations, not with
individuals. This is the first time in
the history of the world that a great
nation has singled out an individual
to make war on him, except in the sim
gle instance of Napoleon, when the
monarchs of Europe combined against
him, fearing that monarchial govern
ment would be wiped from the face
of the earth.
I am unwilling to elevate this
usurper to the dignity of the great
Napoleon.
President Wilson has refused to
recognize him in an official capacity.
So far as our government is concern
ed he has no official existence He is
simply a man. one individual.
Yet a nation of a hundred millions
of people takes up arms against this
man who has been denounced as a
brigand simply because he refuses to
salute the flag.
What dignity does it add to US?
What sense of satisfaction can come
to us, simply because brigand makes
obeisance to us?
What Profits the Salute?
The inevitable result of the passage
of this resolution is war. What do we
gain by it?
Sixteen years ago, at the beginning
of the Spanish-American war, we had
a standing army of about 10000 men.
Today the army numbers nearly 100,-
600 men.
Our navy was maintained at cost
of about $3O,OOO,0OO. Today we ex-
pend annually for the navy about
$14O, 100000.
About two-thirds of the revenue of
the government is spent in the pay
ment of the expense of the army, ma
Wy and pensions.
If little war like the one with
Spain has so enormously increased
expenses. it is very probable that the
increase of expense caused by war
with Mexico will soon eat up the re-
naming one-third of the revenue.
Should this great burden be plac-.
ed upon an already over-taxed people
simply because Huerta, a brigand and
outlaw. who is unworthy of recogni-
ton by our government, as the presi-
dent declares, refuses to give a sa-
lutte?
But, Mr.. Speaker, there is much
more to this matter than the question
OF expense.
When the old mother weeps for her
son whose life has been lost in far
distant Mexico, will it be any comfort
to her for some consoling friend to
say: your son gave his life in an eff
fort to force Huerta to fire a salute
of 81 guns?"
When the wife looks upon the dead
form of her husband, who has been
killed by Mexican bullet, will it re-
lieve her aching heart to be told that
he was sent into battle because Huer-
Ia refused to fire a salute of 81 guns?
When the orphan, cold, hungry and
homeless, perhaps, cries for the sue
cor and protection of loving father,
can his wants be gratified and the lit
tie soul be consoled by the knowledge
that the father was sacrificed simply
because Huerta refused to fire a sa-
lutte of 81 guns?
In the future, when some truthful
historian writes the history of our
country. will we feel our bosoms swell
with pride when we see the reason as
signed for this war that Huerta refus-
ed to fire a salute of 81 guns?
No. Mr.. Speaker, the game is not
worth the candle. The reasons as
signed for this action are too trivial.
Bear in mind that if a salute of 81
guns is fired that our quarrel with
Huerta will cease.
How absurd, how foolish to predi-
cate war upon such matter
A hurt that can be healed, an insult
that can be salved by so slight a thing
as a salute-a salute between nations
corresponds to good morning" be-
tween Individuals too insignificant
TO be made the basis of war with all
its attendant horrors.
Who Profits From War?
The people do not profit from war.
II not only means added financial bur-
dens. but the cost in other ways is
enormous.
Religion, education and civilization