Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-12-12
ADJUTANT GENERAL
PRESS0N IS SPEAKER
At D. 4. R. meeting
Gives Excellent Address on the
Subject, "Our Citizen Soldier
and His Spirit as a Fighting
Man." at Meeting of Koussi-
noe Chapter on Monday Aft
ernOOn

A very pleasing feature Of the reg
ular monthly meeting Of Koussinoc
Chapter. D. A. R., which was held at
o'clock Monday afternoon with Mrs.
w. H. Gannett, was an address given
by Adjutant General George Mel.
Presson upon the subject, "Our Citi-
zen Soldier and His Spirit as a Fight
ing Man" There was a large attend
ance at the session which was presided
over by the regent, Mrs. H. L. Sher-
burne.
After a business session the men,
bers were favored with q vocal solo,
THE Soldier Boy rendered by Mrs.
Ralph w. Smith with Mrs. Helen Rob-
inson as accompanist. The regent, Mrs.
Sherburne. and the vice regent, Mrs.
Blaine S. Vlles, assisted in serving
dainty refreshments at the close Of the
meeting.
In the course Of his remarks Adju-
tant General Presson said:
The Civil War began with the de-
feat at Bull Run. There was no ques-
ton but the Union troops were COM
posed of as brave and patriotic men
as ever went to war but they were not
soldiers, they had not time to learn
the habit.
The cause OF weaknesses Of our
present system I believe in the main
is as follows:
The employment Of undisciplined
troops commanded by officers utterly
ignorant of the military art.
Short enlistments instead of for De-
Rod Of the war.
The bounty-a national consequence
OF voluntary enlistments.
The failure to appreciate military
education and to distribute trained Of
f1cers in our volunteer armies.
The want of colleges and UNIVERSE
ties to educate men for officers in the
practical principles Of the duties of
on officer.
The question is-shall we drift on re-
CARELESS Of the teachings Of history,
making no adequate preparation for the
possibilities Of the hour or shall we
take heed from the experiences Of the
past, not only Of our own country but
OF all lands since history was written.
which Is that preparedness is the best
insurance against war or shall we ac-
cept as our guide for the future the
theory Of those deluded people who tell
us that wars are over and that this is
the last great war, forgetful Of the fact
tnat the same people or people Of the
same type Of intelligence have made
this same talk for over hundred years :?
The answer is, no, we must judge the
future by the past and make wise prep
aration to protect and safeguard those
rights which have been handed down to
us by our forefathers.
Now if we would like to have our
young men in this country become in
the words of President Wilson Trained
and accustomed to Arms" and have
them learn something about the soldiers
trade, the best way for them to start
Is by getting a clear understanding of
few Of the broad general facts under.
lying the need and use of military
forces.
What do we mean by preparedness?
Preparedness is only another name for
precaution. the taking Of measure be-
forehand. making arrangements In ad-
vance, to meet a possible need. We pro-
vide for old age by saving in earlier
life. We prepare against helplessness.
BY means of insurance and investment
we provide for our families: we prepare
against death. We provide against fire
by maintaining a fire department and
against crime by maintaining a police
department; we prepare to meet both
with proper measure.
We provide for sickness by preparing
hospitals, and so on indefinitely the
thread of preparedness, runs through
every serious act Of our lives so mill
tary preparedness readiness for self
defense, is nothing more than national
insurance. Wars give little warning
these days and preparation must be
made in advance
The true spirit Of military courtesy
Is summed up in the Articles of Faith
of the Japanese soldier which are as
follows:
All soldiers must remember that
they are associated in great and hon.
oraole service and that to serve worth
lily In the station in which each Is
placed Is an honor in which the pri-
vate participates as fully as the gen.
eral"
The fighting man plays a game in
which his honor is the stake. his life
the forfeit. The highest reward he
hopes for is the respect Of his COM
rades, His life has been placed at the
service Of his country. His honor is his
own to guard.
The spirit Of the fighting man is
summed up in the motto borne on the
arms or West Point, our national mill
itary academy: DUTY, HONOR.
COUNTRY"
FRED w CONNOp