The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1916-05-02

unbroken era of peace While strick-
en- Europe, crushed beneath the
bloody yoke of the merciless war god,
lies slowly bleeding to death, Amer
lea faces a serious crisis in national
iife-a crisis which thrusts forward
the question, shall we or shall We not
be adequately prepared for defense?
The United States may be forced
into war at any time America knows
not at what moment her sons may
be called upon to sacrifice their lives
on the battlefield in defense Of their
country's honor. There may come
time when only human blood will SUI
fee to atone for national insult, when
unjust humiliation and the con-
temptuous trampling OF nations
rights under foot will have to be
avenged with shot and shell. We
have already been dangerously near
the brink of that seething maelstrom
of carnage and death in Europe. We
may yet lire to see our beloved Amer
lea clothed in sackcloth and ashes as
the result Of European aggression
Without adequate military protection,
how, are we going to help ourselves?
Americans differ on this subject Of
preparedness. Many Of our people
today firmly believe that any increase
in national armament will foster the
dangerous spirit of militarism. But
we do not need to fear that the
American citizen, with his enlghten-
ed conception of individual and ma
tional liberty, will ever submit to
military rule. The subjection of the
lawmakers pen to the warriors
sword, the subordination of the SEN
atorial toga to the; soldiers uniform,
the subservience of civil law to mill
tary discipline, is not only undesir-
able. but absolutely impossible in the
United States Of America. Both the
historic policy of the American gov
ernment and the national sentiment
of her people are unalterably op-
posed to the militaristic spirit. The
American eagle will never be fettered
with the CALLING chains of European
militarism.
The pacifsts maintain that further
preparation for national defense will
tend to provoke war. They are
afraid to trust their government with
greater military strength for fear
that such strength may be misused.
But if it be inexpeddent to develop
our resources for self-preserTation
lest we may some day be tempted to
prove our strength aggressi7ely, then
is the tide of American civilization
fast running out to be swallowed up
in the black waters of national OBJ
hvion and eternal might. On the con-
trary, efficient preparedness prevents
war. ) st as the resolute policeman
discourages the evil intentions Of the
criminal, Just so does adequate mill
tary protection stay the bloody hand
of the rapacious belligerent. What
nation will dare wantonly insult an
other which. is thoroughly prepared
to defend her honor and to maintain
her position? Military preparedness
oegets caution in declaring war.
Many theorists advocate ''peace-at-
any-pr;ce." They are averse to fight
ing, no matter now great the provoca-
ton NOR how just the cause. They
contend that total disarmament is
the best way: to Insure permanent
peace. They would have the United
States government relegate her ships
to the junk-pile, send her soldiers
back 10 tEieir' homes, and appeal to
the honor and chivalry of the nations
for a guarantee Of peace. We are to
lay our own America, with the pre-
cious lives of her people, her bound
less material resources, and her un-
limited national treasures, at the feet
of mercenary and uuscrupulous ma
tons. Unarmed and defenseless, we
are to Haunt our helplessness before
the greedy eyes of selfish govern
ments driven insane by The unholy
last Gar Srld sEprenaeys Could any
rol;cy be more dangerous and more