Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-04-18
Editors Letter Box
A Question for Americans.

New York, April TO- 1917
Editor Kennebec Journal:
l have observed this war at short range
having lodged shells upon the European
front and having visited the camps, NUM-
ton works and hospitals of England and
France. l have seen the wounded and
the dead, the widows and orphans, and
the ruins not only of buildings but Of
broad fields which can never again be
titled none of the pomp and circum-
stance of war but all of its horror.
Again and again l have heard the re-
mark "If England had only listened to
Lord Roberts. If we had only been ready
this would never have happened"'
l quickly became convinced that what
/ saw was no more the result of war than
1t was the result of the pacifst. Noble
buildings which were the work of the
Imagination of the ancient artist are now
in condition which may truly be said to
be the work Of the lack of imagination OF
the modern pacifist. His smooth fat hand
has wrought as much destruction as the
mailed fist of the Kaiser.
Since returning from battle SCARED
Europe l have travelled our own land
from North to South and from East to
West. Everywhere l find prosperity, but
there is lacking that presence of ma
tional soul (Which may be nothing but the
sense of a common unselfish purpose)
which pervaded my days and nights IN
Europe. 1t lies in the power OF our Con-
gress to give our people that feeling of d
common cause which alone will give us
strength, which will bind the rich to the
poor and the poor to the rich and make
each one of us feel and know that we
have a truly great country not because
of it's resources but because of its ideals
and because we have the strength to
make those ideals something more than
idle dreams.
We only value that which has cost US
something. Let every young man give
but his little share of time and work to
the United States and he will become a
true patriot. The plan proposed IS SO
simple. so small in cost and SO lmmeas-
urably great In value that it should not
be necessary for single man TO raise
his voice in it's favor Even If no emer-
gency were now apparent, universal
training should be adopted without delay
for the unifying effect that it would
bring to our people, and even II we couid
see in 1t no such spiritual beneht 1t
should be adopted to straighten the backs
and fill out the chests of our slouching
boys and to teach them the first princi-
pies of hygiene.
There can be but little doubt that our
Congressmen are individually in favor
of this measure, but perhaps they are not
sure of the attitude towards it OF those
whom they represent. In this case II
may be suggested to them that they
visualize the supporters and the opponent
Of universal service. In one rank are
seen those whose faces are bright with
knowledge and ennobled by the desire to
serve In the opposing ranks are the UNI
enlightened, those who have never felt
the thrill of a common cause and VINO
have no sympathy either above or below
themselves In the social scale.
Shall we permit this fair land to fall an
easy prey to the wild beasts which have
devoured Belgium and harried all Oh
Western Europe? In later years shall
one of us say to another That ruined
church shows the hand Of Willard T.
THAT crippled man makes me think OF
Pinchot"? Save us from the work or
these Architects of Destruction, you our
Representatives.
Yours truly,
THOMAS ROBINS,
(Secretary, Naval Consulting Board)