The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1915-12-18

large standing army are what the
Republicans have contended for for
century past. Upon this issue
the followers of Hamilton and jeff
erson have been widely separated.
IRONY OF CIRCUMSTANCE
'It is irony of circumstance
that the teachings of the Republi-
can party for century should find
fruition in a Democratic admins
tration.
1.-The consummation of the poll
cy which the President proposes
will within twenty years, predict.
find the American taxpayer bur-
dened with the expense of stand
ing army and navy, which, together
with expenses incurred in past
wars, cost not less than $40 per
capita per annum The President
has ingeniously concealed the enor-
nifty of the scheme by proposing
that it will increase the appIopria-
tions next year only about one hum
dred millions of dollars. The peo-
pie will not be misled by state
ment of that character
"Tht fundamental objection of
the whole scheme is the beginning.
When the government once starts
on this strange. undemocratic path
it requires but limited vision to
see the disastrous end. 1t is the
old story over agaiD-history re-
peating itself rn
MESSAGE DISAPrOINTS HIM.
81 am greatly disappointed in
that part of the message wich
treats of preparedness and yet it
is DO worse than had right to
expect. In my judgment, the
whole scheme Of preparedness. as
1t is now understood, is a crime
against posterity-subversive of
the genius of our government and
an outrage upon the wealth produc-
ers of America.
I'm the scope of the entire mes
sage, couched in such euphonious
language, scrupulously correct
English and ornamented with
rare figures Of speech, there
is not note of real SYM
pathy for the toilIng millions, or a
ray of hope to lead to better things
for that large and respectable num-
Der of our population who are to-
day overwhelmed with poverty.
even almost in despair. We are
in no danger of being attacked by
any foreign foe. said the -Presi-
dent
Then in the name Of God and
humanity. why cannot this policy
of preparedness be postponed un-
til we have made an etfCrt to lead
the world back into the paths OF
peace and render unnecessary pre-
paredness'7 Why impose this ad-
titional burden upon the aching
stoop' uf the toiler when it is pos
sible that tho nations of the earth
uight be induced to get along with
out the burden altogether? Why
commit our government to a policy
which will render 1t morally impo-
tent in any efforts to bring the
world te disarmament
LOSS OF GREAT OPPORTUNI.
IY.
''If we shall follow the President
in this matter, the government of
the United States will lose great
opportunity to serve humanity, an
opportunity which seldom comes to
great people. | have no doubt
whatever that after this war is
over the depauperated peoples of
Europe will be glad TO throw off
the burden of preparedness aud
instead of devoting their toll to
the maintenance Of armies and ma
vies-t those pernicious economic
parasites who live on the products
of honest toil-and devote the
fruits of their labors to the up.
building Of waste places in their
respective countries. for the edaca
tion and amelioration of fhe condi-
tions of their people and the upIift
of humanity generally.
Those peopls will be tired Of
war, and if they are true to them
selves. as ! am sure they will be,
they win punish cUndiRnIy the am
bilious and conscienceless rulers
who led them into the vortex Of
death. II the advice and good
Offices Of our government for the