The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1916-02-08
MORE ON PREPAREDNESS.

manufacture of war materials, etc,
by the government, but he says this
in such a way as TO convey the i'm
preston hat this is his personal de-
sire, but not the probable policy.
There are many indications that the
presidents attitude has changed o.
derfully within the last year. There
is some new power behind the throne.
He has gone a long way, said many
things, but he has not told us why we
should fear an attack from anybody.
Does he not realize that our military
men, blazing in gold and broadcloth,
must stir up strife and frequent war
scares, in order to show the necessity
of armament, and show the impor-
ance of themselves, with their big sal
aries, taken from earnings of the
toilers? He has minated that we
must defend Central and South
America. We we'll know that there
is an element of ignorance and super
sition in those countries, as well as
in Mexico who would like to use the
army of the United States, but when
the president says our army is hardly
sufficient for the routine duties of
peace he should be reminded that
the people of this country have sew
eral times tried to get an immigra-
ton law to shut out some of this ele-
ment which demands an army TO con-
troll it. This law got through con
gress, but snagged on a veto. As 10
our duty to defend Central and South
America, that is not so clear. When
that to-be-appointed tariff commits
sion wipes out the robber tariff and
breaks the shackles of protection
there will be less call for a standing
army to stand guard over our would
be exploiters. That the volunteer
army can be depended upon to defend
this country from invasion, there IS
no doubt; it always has and always
will, If we can soon get an immigra-
ton law to shut out undesirables.
President Wilson certainly got an eye
opener when he put the volunteer
proposition to the people of Des
Moines.
If those military autocrats OF
Europe meet the glorious death they
deserve, and which may God permit,
we will have no invasion.
Our whole Atlantic coast is in need
of fertilizer from Key West to Passa-
maquoddy bay, and we would utilize
for that purpose all invaders as fast
as they could land on our shores. We
know Gen. Wood says, We are utter
ly unprepared to face a first class
power What has he been doing for
the last four years. while he has been
in command of the army? Wood also
ays THE sea is the best avenue of
attack" Why don't the kaiser send
for Wood to attack England?
Admiral Fletcher. in command of
the navy, and President Wilson, both
declare the navy is in good shape and
ready for action.
Who shall we believe?
We have before us a letter written
by a volunteer soldier on the battle
of the first Bull Run, in which he
SAYS he found in one of the rebel
camps a map of this part of the state
(Virginia) which had been made by
the army engineers under Gen. Nc
Dowell and of course was of great
value to their commander. These
maps show roads, bridges. streams
and general formation of the country.
1t was made to prepare for war, and
like nearly all other preparation, was
found in the hands of the enemy
when the war began. Look at our
West Pointers, Jeff Davis, Lee, Long
street, Ewell, Pickett. Armstad, edu-
Gated and pampered by the govern
ment, but who will say that our mil
itary schools promote patriotism or
love of country?
The fact is our military schools
warp a mans perspective. When he
graduates he sees everything with
telescope vision and 1.-The MAI on
horseback" is the prominent figure
on the object glass. You teach your
boy the manly art and he is bound to
have a fight, and the chances are Will
continue to fight till he gets whipped,
even if he is obliged to go to Mexico
to find an arena.
You can kill a man and of course
he will stop kicking, but his children.
or maybe his children's children. will
have the call of blood. Look at the
feuds in the mountains of Kentucky
and Tennessee. Have they, or Will
they be settled by war? You teach
the art of war in any of u schools,
we ARE not where, and you set in
motion a force which only stops on
the battlefield. Would 1T not be bet
ter to put down as the foundation of
our peace, Justice to all men," and
put universal brotherhood as the cor
ner stone? Give us men at the head
Of our government who will do right
because ii is right. Let us have a CIV
ilization which will dare to be just,
then we will emerge from barbarism.
Amid this blare of trumpets, this
waving of flags and shouting of the
multitudes to greet the president, let
us not forget that on the nation
which was adequately" prepared,
rests the responsibility for the pres
ent widespread w~reckage and slaugh-
ter in Europe. Have not the people
of the United States enough clearness
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