New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-14
A NEW READER.
Terms Of Enlistment Of Citizen ot
Concord, Mass

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: I have for twenty-five years been
reader Of a prominent New York newspaper
which formerly possessed great editorial
vigor, but has. in later years, declined in this
respect have hestated, however, to depart
from it as from an old friend, but when ones
old friends grow too wobbly in the knees and
too feeble in the upper story one is obliged to
face the painful duty OF deciding between
them and more vrile members Of the COM
muuity when great questions seriously affect
ing posterity at large have got TO be faced.
My reading of the leading editorial pages
Of my old friend, the ouce-great New York
newspaper above mentioned, and Of your own
paper yesterday has decided me finally upon
this step, and ! am cancelling my old sub
scription and am sending TO you, separately,
years subscription for The Tribune, which
Will hereafter make my New York news
paper, or, at any rate so long as it deals
with great public questions in the spirit now
manifested.
We all live for posterity, and | mean by
that the postcrity Of earth in general. Life
is a small affair and is only useful 70 the ex-
tent that it is contributed unselhshly, to as
sst somewhat in the painfully slow struggle
Of humanity toward the Light. This can only
be accomplished By saving for posterty the
ground gained by civilization through so
many centuries of painful effort.
No man who has read history, or reads
the signs Of the times or possesses any
knowledge of human nature, can fail TO IN
derstand that if by any chance Germany
should be victorious in a great naval battle
in the North Sea the odds are that the Brit
ish Empire would be extermnated. Did not
Napoleon say: Give me control Of the sea
for six hours and the British Empire will be
no more?" Does not the Kaiser manfestly
say the same thing? Can any one doubt that
if this be brought TO pass the PrDsian Gov
eminent Of the German people would look
about for the richest and easiest prey upon
which TO fatten themselves forthwith, and is
there any doubt that we ourselves constitute,
in our present position Of unpreparedRess,
the latest and easiest prey? She could not
hope speedily 10 enrich herself at the expense
Of France or Russia or Italy, or any other
rich nation except our own.
II We seriously desire that our posterity
shall continue to enjoy possession of that
rich portion Of earth OF which our fathers
obtained control, not by soft words, but by
D
men to believe that they can accomplish it
otherwise than by force Of arms exercised by
some one.
At the moment Great Britain holds the UNI
brella for US. The sooner cur resources are
withdrawn in every way from the service Of
her barbarous antagonist and placed freely at
the disposal of herself and her allies. without
war II possible, with war II necessary, the
sooner we snail DO our duty toward our own
posterity and the posterity Of civilization as
whole No sane man desires war any more
than he desires lawsuits or controversy Of
any nature. but no sane man can believe that
in the present state OF things il is possible
to hold the ground which civilization has
gained otherwise than by a show Of force
as small show Of force as will suffice IL
there be general worldwide disposition to
observe the law, but great show Of force
as may be necessary in any extreme TO en-
force decent regard for law and the rights
Of contract.
The mea who shed their blood at Concord
and Lexington were not "too proud TO fight"
The men who saved the Union and settled for
all time, as we hope. the question Of human
slavery were not too proud TO fight" nor
afraid 10 die. 40 individual and no people
and no nation can discharge its duty toward
posterity II 1t Is too proud TO take up arms
IN defence Of cruel wrongs, in defence OF
women and children, in defence Of cviliza-
ton"
The words Of Mr.. Wilson uttered at Phila-
deIphia are meaningless platitudes under the
circumstances by which we are now confront
ed, but am still not without hope that such
editorials as your own OF yesterday, and such
expressions as are being heard everywhere
from men who think may yet arouse in Mr..
ilson serious appreciation Of the great
words Of the only other Democratic Presi-
dent who has lived in our own day, words ad-