Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1915-04-16
Bigger Army Needed.

uuet OF the DemOcrdliC Niup' vi "S0eS"So
ter county. New York. last Saturday night,
declared that no one who suggested that
peace was to be obtained through feeble
ness should be listened to, and that lab
houence of war and love of peace are
thorouehly consistent with wise military
precautions"
The problem Of what military policy the
limited States should adopt and pursue, ne
said. lis here now for our solution. we
have no right" Mr.. Garrison declared.
from any standpoint to evade 1t or avoid
II: we must realize our responsibility.
fearlessly face the facts. and do those
THINGS which are wise and proper in the
circumstances. Forethought and precau-
ton are distinguishing differences between
wisdom and folly"
This obligation" he continued does
mt arise solely out of a selfish considera-
ton Of our personal safety; it was under
taken in our name by the founders OF the
government, who promised to provide Tor
the common defense on behalf of them
selves and their posterity; and, therefore,
as trustees of those who are to come after
us, we have no right to leave them exposed
To the hazards Of the future without hav-
inc provided the safeguards which reason
dictates"
Mr.. Garrison asserted that the need OF
..more of a standing army than we now
have is a fact patent to every one who
considers the subject" and that there IVES
imperative need of trained reserves.
The mobile military force in the United
States. he said. was less than $4,000
men. while Of the organized militia, 1t was
not expected by those who know. that
ANYTHING like their full numbers would
respond to the call for national service.
This is an exceptionally opportune time.
Mr.. Garrison continued. ito consider this
ouestion, because, while the war in Europe
has conferred the attention of our people
upon the subject matter, we have no az
eressive intention against any nation and
there is no hint of any such aggressive in
tention on the part Of any nation against u.s.
"The subject itself has nothing novel in
il. From the foundation OF the govern
ment to the present time it has received
the careful consideration of those whose
responsibilities or experience caused them
to comprehend the situation. All such
practically reached similar conclusions as
to the imperative need of proper measures
of precaution. Unfortunately, for some
reason or another, they were never able
to cause the enactment Of their conciu'
sions into permanent form. and when &C.
casion required, resort was had to make
shifts and expedients, with all OF the
disastrous and humiliating results Of sucf
inadequate treatment Of this vital subject
when the public opinion OF this coun
try has determined upon what genera
principles its military policy shall be found
ed, there will be no difficulty in working
out the details and putting the same int
effect. The difficulty has been, and is. 4
Oct the matter so brought home to the in
dividual citizen that he will realize il
vital Importance. give it his best attention
and aid in its wise solution. The Difficult
ties inherine in the nature of the subjec
are great enough without the misfortune
of artificial obstacles placed in the way o
its wise settlement. Such artificial obsta
Giles are those created by well-meaninl
people who confuse the subject by inject
ine into 1t considerations which do no
properly belong there. Adherence OF wa
and love of peace are thoroughly con
sistent with wise military precautions.
There is no issue in this country, ant
there can be none between militarism AM
pacifsm. No one who is taken seriousl,
is even suggesting militarism; and no on,
who SUGGESTS that peace is to be obtaine,
through feebleness should be listened tc
The great sober sense Of this country wi
surely not let its direction be DETECTED b
SO unsubstantial an obstacle. What "
are striving for. and what every wis'
patriotic citizen should join in attaining
is proper military policy.
"The way to attain this object is to con
slider the past. observe the present, AM
take forethought for the future. We know
that in the past this matter has not re
ceived proper consideration on behalf o
the public. Washington. Adams, and JET
ferson, the three great men who success
sively held the Office of President, pleade'
with the people to do what should be don
in this connection, but their pleading wa
futile. Washington's bitter experience wit
unframed men and with nation UMPIRE
pared for war is well known to all of u:
and his references thereto are too numer
GUS for citation. They may be summe'
I'D, however, in this statement Of his:
1.-The jealousy of standing army, an
the evils to be apprehended from one, ar
remote, and. in my judgment. situated AM
circumscribed as we are, not at all to b
dreaded; but the consequence Of wantin
one, according to my views formed iron
the present view Of things. is certain an
inevitable ruin.
Mr.. Garrison pointed out the problem o
defense that faced John Adams and Thoma
Jefferson. and added:
From those days to these. other erea
minds, trained. experienced faced witt
difficulties and dangers, proposed one rene
DIV or another, but oil failed Of adoption
''In most other nations Of any size ii
the world this matter has teen taken up
and has been settled after careful consid
Grafton. Admittedly that is not the cast
with US.
THE exact question for decision. there
fore. Is on what principles shall we pro-
vide for the expansion of our military
forces so as to be reasonably prepared to
meet emergencies. No one seriously pro-
r,oaes that this should be done by having