Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-08-28
Address by Governor Wise

Nlr. CHAIRMAN ana Gentiemen.
l should be remiss did l not spend
the first of the few minutes allotted
me in expressing for the nine organi-
cations which l represent their deep
gratitude for the opportunity afforded
by your invitation, of setting before
you their anxieties over the grave con-
dition of our national defenses. I
need not say that in coming to you,
through me, they are conscious that
they are being heard by those who
have been chosen, by the 48 common
wealths which make up our common
country, as the men who. by character,
wisdom and training, are the most
able among their citizens to discharge
the heavy responsibilities attaching to
their protection and governace. Nor is
this all, for those who compose these
organizations, in untroubled times Of
all shades of political faith, have sunk
their political differences. and given
me instructions to appeal to you as
an American representing Americans,
who in this hour Of perplexity have
at heart neither sectional nor political
interests, but only the national safety.
Thus, come to you with hands that
are clean Of politics, with no criticism
of parties or of men, intent solely upon
saying that a large and intelligent
body Of our people are SO thoroughly
aroused over the use that is being
made of the ornaments of Europe, and
Of the threat against our security
which that use implies, that they have
determined, at whatever cost, to place
this land beyond the reach Of military
devastation. In common with you and
with all citizens. whose anxieties they
believe they correctly interpret. those
who compose these bodies for which /
speak abhor war. and detest that spir-
it which would make of military domi-
nation the chief object of a nations
thought. Also. they deny the validity
of the doctrine that would make of the
civilian the pawn Of a military caste,
and assert that free civil life should
be the chief aim Of national existence.
We Hate Aggression.
The soldier who carries a weapon for
purposes Of aggression is in their eyes,
as in the eyes Of every lover of Peace,
an unspeakably iniquitous product Of
government, whom they will neither
create for themselves. nor permit in
the interest of others to set his foot
upon this soil, wetted in the freeing
by the blood Of your forebears. of
my forebears, and Of their forebears.
Neither now nor ever can the spectre
Of militarism, of the control Of our ma
tional life by despotic military caste.
rear itself in this democratic land.
On this national policy stand we all of
us, firm in the belief that however
high the armed dyke which we must
now rear to protect our shores from
the threatening food Of devastating
war, that dyke ever shall remain a
bulwark Of personal liberty, and never
become the wall Of a barracks, in
which its creators may bind the popu-
lace to the wheels Of the chariot Of ag-
erosion, to be driven into other lands.
Therefore, this great movement which
we represent is not open to the charge.
which the timid are inclined to make.
that it seeks to saddle our people with
a forthwith any form of military
despotism.
Gentlemen. have come here through