The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1916-02-08
Spirit Of Lincoln
Still Lives

| cause ne eNtrlCdleu thS hdtion hOiii
the perils of its own unpreparedness
for such disaster as the civil War.
But Notwithstanding this reverence
we, on the recurrence of the birth
anniversary of this great American,
present a spectacle which would indi-
cate that we have learned no les
sons from his sacrifice, nor from the
sacrifices made by those who fell or
suffered in any of the great causes
for which our forbears fought.
What Lincoln seid at Gettysburg
applies to the task Of today as fully
as 1t did to that of 1S63-to the task
of conserving the rights and liberties
which constitute us a free people in
full control Of our own destinies:
1T is rather for us to be here ded-
icated to the great task remaining
before us-that from these honored
| dead we take increased devotion to
that cause for which they gave the
last full measure of devotion-that
we here highly resolve that these
dead shall not have died in vain
that this nation under God, shall
have a new birth of freedom-and
that the government Of the people,
by the people and for the people
shall not perish from the earth"
Who dare counsel leaving defense.
less the nation of and for which this
man spoke!
A year and a half has passed since
the European war revealed to us the
extent of our neglect of our defenses
and Of the danger that neglect has
brought US.
A series of events unparalleled in
our history has proclaimed that we
are both weak and irresolute-weak
because we have allowed other ma.
tions to kill our citizens and have
not resisted, irresolute because we
have permitted over year to go by
without taking even preliminary
otSpo to"oiuS tuih ouT
resources into effective military
strength. Irresolute, also, because
even as yet we are unable to agree
as to whether anything at all should
be done in our defense, much less
to evolve a program for self pro
lection. This, Notwithstanding we
have men, material, and money in
sufficient abundance to enable us TO
set about instantly to repair our
long neglect of our own safety.
Events overseas, full Of signif.
canoe for every American family,
testify eloquently to the fact that the
power of the sword is supreme once
more in shaping human events. Yet
here at home we argue and hold
back, and treat what is very prac-
tical matter-that of our defense
as one that is academic and may be
| discussed by the heart instead of the
head. 1t is as If the armed migra-
tions Of destroying nations, which
we see now in effective action and
the making ready of still other ma
| tions. were mere matters of ancient
history set before us as a film drama
having no connection with our own
affairs! At such time the apathy
OF some, and the fanatic opposition
of others who preach the defensive
value OF Inconsistencies, are ex.
tremely grave indications Of our
weakness, which the practical sense
of our people must deal with very
promptly If we are to be made Sc
cure.
| What a strange commentary upon
American spirit and foresight 1t is
that, after eighteen months of such
a war, which repeatedly has invoiv'
ed our rights and the lives Of our
people, our President should at last
be compelled to go upon a speaking
tour to arouse enough patriotism to
enable us to get from Congress any
effective action at all on behalf OF
our national defenses,
Therefore, appeal to you, and thru
you to all men OF decision among
your readers, to bring every influence
to bear upon Congress so that We
shall be restored to the position Of
second naval power, which we form
erly held, and our regular army be
so reinforced that we may be Sc
cure against sudden invasion. This
the program of the General Board Of
the Navy of July 30, and the recon-
mendations OF the Army War Col
lege, IL carried out, will do.
/ appeal to you and to the men OF
your district to let Congress know
that the spirit of Lincoln still lives
and that it is now time that the
American people through Congress
shall again dedicate themselves to