The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-05-31

Its easy confidence in peace and its en-
loyment OF material prosperity and
prepare Tor emergencies which q de-
caue ago seemed impossible. In the |
days OF the civil war citizen SOL
uleTy numbered by The millions I'M
trained 10 arms were called to the
battlefield; Us result, the contest
was long and the result for years
seemed doubtful Thousands upon
thousands, men as patriotic US ever
fought for uloir country were slain IN !
combat or died of disease, because OF
their lack 9i discipline. A pressins
duty rests Upon the country TO pre-
pare Itself Tor all emergencies OF the
future; Il II the duty OF every patriot
lc citizen u be ready for that which
the future Ebas in store. We can no
longer pl3ce implicit trust upon
treaties engagements for arbitrator;
these become mere scraps of paper IN I
time when there is supreme desire |
10 win and every implement Of destruc- |
ton Is eagerly resorted TO in the des-
perGte struggle for victory. War IN |
this year Of 1916 has none OF the rO-
nance which characterized 1t in the !
days Of Napoleon or the wars OF the
last half OF the nineteenth century. |
Then armies stood over against each |
other and responded TO the bugle or
tho sound Of martial music, right |
bravely moving forward TO tho charge. !
Decisive results sometimes ensued !
FROM single battle on the open plain.
Now war is matter OF the highest
development of mechanism, carefully |
prepared trenches, poisonous gases,
curtains OF fire: tho conflict Is wagGd |
by bombs dropped from the air and
by the furtiye approach. of the subma-
rine in the EOa The most perfect
equipment for battle Ia required, long |
and careful preparation is requisite |
Ii nation would sustain Itself in this
day Of frightful instruments of slaugh-
ter. No agreements between nations
can be relied upon as an assurance Of
peace unless 1t is accompanied by dis
armament, and the lessening OF the
size Of armies and OF nayies. Maybe
such agreements Will follow this war.
but OF this, no one can DO sure. When |
the world Ia atlame and passions Of
hate and destruction arc let loose in
the world, our first duty as nation
Is adequate preparedness to defend |
our borders and maintain our honour |
and rights us nation. Even though |
this preparedness should be consider |
ed merely as means Of insurance
against possible evils, it is neverthe-
less essential. We are not now living /
In the tranquil times OF universal !
peace. Tens Of millions are engaged |
In war In n supreme struggle for the
mastery Of the world. Our duty should |
be that of neutrality and that Of I'M
Partially, not neglecting however to
assert our rights against any of the
complaints II they violate great prln-
ciples OF international law. But in
this attitude there is little that prom
Uses Of friendship In the future. The
neutral Is never popular; he cannot
readily gain the favor Of either COM
Blatant, and we must anticipate that
when the war Is over we may have the
ill-will of victor and vanquished alike.
THE question OF compulsory mill
tary service is one which has been
much discussed. In the days when
these men before me enlisted, there
was an almost universal readiness to
make any sacrifice for the sake Of the
country, but now, imbued with the
spirit Of materialism in this age of
invention and Of marvellous opportuni-
ty for lettering conditions, We cannot
be sure that however grave the dan
ger might be, a sufficient number
would offer their services. Again,
without military discipline and pre-
paredness for the struggle. our ar
mics, however large. might be moved
down by the contendlng nations hav-
ing soldiers Of adequate training.
Among the many millions who are
suited for military service, there
should be sufficient number trained
for war whether discipline be afforded |
by schools and colleges or by prac-
tically universal training OF those OF
military age after the model of Swift
zerland or Australia. This statement
is made with no bellicose disposition.
nor desire for aggression, but with
a full realization of the frightful pos
sibilities of the time. We still cherish
the ideals Of peace. and hope that the
time will come when controversies be-
tween nations, however strong or
weak, will be settled by the orderly
processes Of justice. 1t is no dream
Of the ideaiist TO look for such a time !
but the contamination of our hopes |
ADD BURTON--GAI4 g.. -. 800.
may be long deferred.
in the enjoyment of the transcen-
dent blessings Of peace, we little re-
alize the Importance of what is going
or in the world around us. 1t is a
CONTINUED on page 12.)