Perth Amboy evening news., 1917-04-17
CANADA AS AN EXAMPLE

CANADA AS AN EXAMPLE
Those opposing ,conscription fol-
military service In the United States
point to Canada as an instance where
even yet conscription has not been
resorted to. They claim that il
Canada, after nearly three years OF
war. does not deem CONSUMPTION
necessary, why should the United
, States at the very outset have COM
lpulsory service.
Canadp Indeed, furnishes q shining
example Of what the volunteer sys-
tenn means. Canada, today, has seen
the brightest and most promising of
her young men wiped out, while the
wenklings. the indifferent and the
loafers are left. Ask the people OF
tho city of Montreal what they think
OF the volunteer system. 1t was
largely from that city that the fam
ous Princess Pat regiment was re-
cruited. The very flower OF Canadian
manhood enlisted in that iorganiza-
ton. They were the young business
men, the young bankers, the young
men who were Just entering public
life upon whom the city was depend
ing t2 carry on Its progressiveness
during the years just ahead. These
young men. filled with patriotic zeal,
rushed to the colors, while the buns,
the loafers and the slackers general
iy. remained at home.
What is the result? The famous
Princess Pat regiment has been prac-
tioaly annihilated. But mere
handful OF those noble young mon,
the future hope of the great city of
Montreal, live today. They paid the
penalty for their patriotism. But not
80 the slackers, the weaklings and
the loafers. They are still found
about their old haunts, doubtless tell
Ing each 9th ssow .-fhss. war lsbo-i-f-s'
zGffsSnnnunlE AZ Epf3sSss Z +
be fought. There Is hardly a homd
In Montreal today where there was
a promising young son that is not in
Montreal will be years
from the blow. But the
ignominous lot who never will
to anything are still left.
They have taken precious good care
Of their hide. AS long as they are
not compelled to go they will take
precious good care that they never
get any nearer the fighting than they
are today.
Is this fair? Is this just? 1t is
the result of the volunteer system.
Under conscription the good, bad
and Indifferent must all take their
chances alike. The promising young
men. filled with energy and enter
prise, will be in the ranks, OF course,
but he will not be sacrificed while
the ne'er- do-well Is spared. The lat
ter will have to take his chances, too,
as 1t should be.
In a great democracy like the
United States. where all stand on an
equality before the law. there Is no
more reason why the defense of the
country should be left to volunteers
than there is for leaving the matter
Of taxation to volunteers. II every
man is to be called upon to share
alike In raising the funds to carry on
the war, then every man should be
called upon to share alike In raising
an army. There should be no favor
ittsn, no allowing the bravest and
brightest to do the fighting for those
who are willing to 'let George do It."
Let us look to Canada, IL we will,
for an illustration OF the volunteer
system. The more Canada is studied
the more convinced we become that
CONSUMPTION at the very outset Is the
only solution to raising an army Ia
a republic. Then every man is called
upon to do his bit. The really valu-
able young men are net killed eff
while worthless sulk at home safe
from all harm. There is no room for
slacRers In a democracy. All should
share alike in all things.