El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-02-14

ITO The call Of national duty today there IS
but one answer when It comes TO making preparation
for the great task that hes before us-the task OF
successfully defending our right to peace. -. =
peace universal liability and obligation to perform military
or civil public service of at the direction OF
competent public authority and without individual hOey
The Herald speaking of the direct obligation OF the
citizen his government to the whole nation. 1t IS
assumed that government will make adequate
in providing sufficient naval and military material including
ships weapons munitions, and general supplies
The volunteer system wrong IN principle and futile IN
nractice The term "conscrption misnomeT, because
II there any clement of comPuSon It hes IN the very
dinaOn of the individual to the general GOOD an assumed
universal voluntary submission TO the constitution, claim
upon all its rights, and therefore corresponding duty 10
defend it and conserve the republic
One Of the purposes the constitution las stated In the
preamble) is to provide for the common defence Anotnr
the blessings Of liberty to ourselves and our
Congress Is given power declare to raise and
SUPPORT armies 10 provide calling forth, organizing
arnq discipning governing the militia There are
certain restrictions may require constitutional amend
ent 10 correct in accordance modern needs But the
intent 70 possible for the republic TO DEFEND ITSELF
Is clear.
The conflict between state control federal national
control Of the militia began the first president
inaugurated and has ceased The plan adopted
10 this day The militia law enacted in 1892
this been superseded, after III years during
which but chary amended 1t IS interesting TO note
what ideas republic had about universal
There has been any doubt about the con-
president governors OF states
the socaed draft TO compel universal service
bodied ito execute the laws Of the unln sup
press instructions and repel invasOns The problem Of
possible service outside the national boundaries IS no easy
one but the preamble this contingency
The law OF 1892 declared that every able bodied man
between the ages OF 18 with exemptions
should the militia; that the whole population
should be organized under officers; tht
those officers should be ned responsible for complete enrol
men which should take every youth arriving at the
age of e every eligible coming reside the Officers
districts that individual enrolled should provide his
eou
earned accoutered and provided when called out to exer
else service Failure TO appear subjected him 10
severe punishment by martial
Regular detailed reports required to be made TO
the state adutants general and commanders and by them
the president Of the United States annually before
the first Monday in January Regular army discipline and
drill imposed In case Of invasion, threatened nva-
militia into service command exercised through the
proper officers "as ne may think proper"
This remained practically unamended until the CIVIL
var and the. was not repealed added With few
subsequent changes it remained the law Of the land until
1903 when militia law enacted Since then the
statutes been materially changed.
illustrating the prevailing sentiment Of the nation
for than 100 the original act most interesting
The principle OF universal training IN tune OF peace unVe
sal service time of war; unreservedly recognized To
revive the application Of the principle will be no innovation
That We must place ourselves readiness adequately
defend the commonwealth and to act as TO secure
the blessings liberty ourselves and posterity,
needs no argument with patriots however much honest
difference Of opinion there may be among them as TO the
Our moral infIuence-Our pacific influence If you will
viii be all the greater in the world if we look well after
home affairs first.
Our international policy should be- of isolation
policy Of sefreant independence The Herald regrets
10 vigorous opposition the plans of the
proposed League To Enforce Peace since those plans
approval the minds of this country
almost unanimously. little voice indeed that Is
raised here against any such plan, but the word is spoken
least in sincerity conviction Old lord Fairfax used
say Liberty with order, independence with respect
for law And destiny lies now, not in
calculated entange affairs of other continents but
consistent following OF policy OF square dealing
good fellowship, and self defence.
We should define the sphere Of proper dominance
dared By the necessities OF situation, and far less
heretofore vaguely claimed Doing justice
always should require less of all The United
defend; in insurng that minimum degree of safety
consider the possible radius Of attack, and
guard the indicated.
All thought of exertng any military naval force
beyond the bounds Of that solely for self defence
should be abandoned There limit the extension Of
friendly social commercial all
kind and the proper and timely exercise OF our
Intellectual influence where it may find welcome.
the policy which enter against all the world arms
should that become necessary.
Up 10 . certain point rely the justice of
But nations under great stress have hesaed
abandon their less sentimental conduct
viii they in time TO
We must prepare TO face the possibility OF world
future that always be willing let 20
peaceful way. We cannot and do desire to, lead
great alliance; safely afford play the game
Of any other world power group of powers We must
confirm ourselves the possession of such territory