New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-27
70 the Editor OF The Tribune.

/ 10 the EDITOR or Inc rlDunc
! Sir: The remarkable number Of votes cast
for Mr.. Robert Bacon, especially in view of his
belated entry in the race for the Senatorial
nomination, is most encouraging to the I'D
vocates OF clean political methods and
straight from the shoulder principles.
His was the clesnest cut platform and cam
paign that American politics has witnessed
in a generation and cannot fail to leave
wholesome and lasting impression on the
mass OF voters who study with intelligence
the drift Of events and read the signs Of the
times.
! That Mr.. Bacon's ideas arc sound and his
advocacy Of universal service is the basic
solution of many OF The nations future prob
lens cannot be doubted, and great will be the
loss TO this commonwealth and TO the nation
at large that so straightforward and patriotic
a standard bearer will not be member of
the next Congress.
In the light OF events which the European
conflict is bringing forth, and especially IN
view Of the superhuman efforts which Great
Britain has made 10 preserve her freedom
and civilization, largely caused by the refusal
Of her people to do military duty in the past
and TO q weak and vacillating government,
row can the thinking citizens Of this country
fail TO see the similarity Of their own posi-
ton and their utter weakness and helpless
ress or hesitate 4 moment TO take immediate
steps to avert the dangers which threaten
them both At home and abroad? History
clearly shows Us that only those nations have
survived or maintained their integrity and
civilization whose citizens have been willing
to do military service and subordinate them
selves % the authority of their government.
Greece with her glorious past, needed not
the voice Of her Demosthenes urging her
citizens to stand in the ranks" and to do
their duty, and her independence and civiliza-
ton became but q memory.
England had her warnings from her states
men and soldiers and brushed them aside as
being but the vaporings of the alsrmists or
the pleas of the agents of the munitions com
ranics and lulled herself TO sleep in the
belief that SO long as a twO-power standard
feet could be maintained and the balance of
power held her place in the centre of the sun
was secure beyond all pcrsdventure. But like
bolt from the blue the storm broke, and with
il came panic and CONSERVATION to the world
and TO England. who, but for her great
navy, heroic little Belgium and noble France,
where universal service has prevailed for
generations, would have lost her power and
independence. With them would have van
ished the Anglo-SaXon civilzation--the very
foundation on which the American govern
nlent rests.
Our condition is far worse than Englands
we have no army and no military organiZs-
ton worthy of the name, no national aim or
unity, and our navy, which is but bad fourth,
is dominated by Secretary whose policy
stands for all that is inefficient and destruc-
tive of its morale and of the making of
fighting force--t has degenerated into a
school for the study of English and arith-
metc and the theory of equality and the
brotherhood Of man.
The recent army bill federalizing the Ma
tional Guard is but miserable substitute
and makeshift for the creating of real army
and is proving utter failure.
The volunteer system is a crime against the
patriotic young manhood OF the nation and
should be abolished Under this wretched
system the flower of the patriotic youth re-
spends 70 the nations call while the
"sackers" and "copperheads" pursue their
unpatriotic way until such time conscrip-
ton or sense OF shame compels them to do
their duty.
Manhood suffrage should mean manhood
service two go hand in hand-and he
who is unwilling 10 give the latter is un-
worthy Of the former
This country is facing a crisis in it, do
nestle conditions and foreign relations
vhch only strong government and wise
'to'cHmansbir can avert. Tho present Ad