The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1916-03-23
FOR PREPAREDNESS
Looking Backward On The Horrors of
War.

To the Editor:
1t gives me great pleasure to write
your many readers of the past, and
recall with pride, as a people, acknow
Lodging the wisdom Of the founders of
this land of liberty that controlled its
destiny, and the future hope to face
with courage and confidence, peace and
plenty.
The people Of our nation arc con
genial in character, from the Atlantic
to the Pacific ocean, sending forth it's
genial influence, disseminating its prin-
ciples through the beloved land that is
invigorating, and carrying countless
blessings among the loyal and peace
loving people.
While the governments Of the old
world quake with fear and totter to
their deepest foundation, war follows
war, and the jarring discord Of power
against power to strike down the hate
that convulses the inhuman sorrows
and untold cruelties, still Old Glory
floats proudly afolt undimmed by the
mighty storm amid the bloodshed
and lamentations of the aged men
and women and the children.
The ruler of our land cherishes the
spirit of love which brings the true
power to govern the people. And let
that spirit of peace have full sway in
every American heart.
It's principles are the bulwarks and
guardians of freedom, founded upon the
principle Of human rights. Without
them human government would gravi
ate into despotism. With law and order
it stands forth to perform the high
purpose for the protection Of the weak
from the oppression of the strong,
when its beauty grows brighter in the
glittering radience that shines in the
faces of the loyal hearted.
Looking Backward
1t seems strange that people have
not learned lesson after five wars in
which this nation was unprepared, and
reminded that the diplomatic cores
pondence at the time Of the war Of 1912
was unlike that which we have been
having with Great Britain and Ger
many.
Nor were we better prepared in 1916,
and it is question if we have learned
our lesson yet. In 1898 we were not
sufficiently prepared, as nation, to
take our troops to Cuba.
1t is time, i'll my opinion, to put the
army and navy on a plane Of defense,
and to place all war-hke matters on Il
plane of preparedness Such matters
should be put in the hands of tried and
efficient officers of exceptional intelli-
gence and experience peculiar to true
Americans. 1t is duty we owe, as Il
people of the nation, to be true to our
selves and prepare for war that no ma
II, ~
people, should plant mines in all
the sea ports of America, so far out in
the sea, that no twenty five mile
on the war vessels can penetrate any Of
those cities to destroy life and property.
Back such with war vessels properly
manned, and have submarines and fly
ing machines i'll proper number, then
true valor will be shown by the patriots
of America. We, as a people, have had
formulated by the fore fathers of our
beloved land constitution, wonder
full document, that is sacred to every
lover of home and nation, and will not
change it without the vote of the peo-
pie, to still perpetuate the principles
of liberty through all time.
The American people have prospered
UNNECESSARILY and contentment will be
universal when the high seas are pro-
tected from waring nations, who kill
unprotected men, women and children.
President Wilson has advocated, for
the good of all nations, that no nation
shall harrass the commerce of others,
and when this is effected it will be a
beacon light to all the world.
Since the six nations commenced to
fight ten millions of men have been
killed, taken prisoners and those sur
viving manned and useless for life.
Now that thirteen nations are partici-
pating in the greatest war in the his
tory of the world, the flower of the
young manhood of the <waring countries
has been cruelty sacrificed for pelf and
power. How can such loss be replaced
1t cannot be! Yet do the rulers of
these nations think of the untold sui
ferings of the brave soldiers in bleeding
agony in the trenches! God forbid
the monstrosities. Some mothers have
given one, two, three and sometimes
every son in a family to the cause OF
heartless leaders, to supposedly fight
| FOR thar pat;on % honor