The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1917-04-27
Labor Must Sacrifice Its
freedom and do and die,
And 1t mustn't even speak
or ask the reason why.
BY Grant Hamilton.
BY Grant Hamilton

Since April a state of war has
existed betw en- this country and
Germany. Congress has pledged
the manhood and wealth of this ma
ton to conduct an armed conflict.
The citizenship of America Is bound
by this declaration to assume the
responsibility and bear the burdens
of war in which they are to have
small influence in directing, Ii those
who are most vitality concerned do
not quickly and vehemently register
their protest against autocratic pro-
posals now under consideration.
That the United States should be
supported Loyalty by its people in
the impending struggle is not a de-
batable question. Our country will
be defended as valiantly in the
present crisis as it has been in
former conflicts, but this occasion
must not be made the opportunity
for fastening upon this nation mill
tarism. Like every other country,
we have our Junkers.
Immediately following the dec
laration of a state of war by Con
gress, from every quarter of the
United States there came insistent
demands that Congress adopt con
scription law These demands pro
ceed largely from those who hold
investments-the American Junker
class
For over 140 years we have in
dulged in the glorifcation of our
democratic institutions. We fought
the war of independence in 1776 by
a volunteer force. The second war
of independence OF 1912 was fought
and won by volunteer force. Out
of 1000, 600 males qualified for
military service at the opening
of the civil war l 100000 volun
teered the first year. In fact, sec
retary Stanton sent out notice after
the first call for volunteers that the
call has been "over subscribed. "
La'er on, n 1868, Congress did
pass draft" law but President
Lincoln, although opposed to it,
accepted the alternative because OF
the desperate situation then exist
ing. However, the draft, accord
ing to the best information obtain.
able, was responsible for the enlist
ment of only 81, 947 men for Union
army. This was 2.3 per cent of the
total forces of the entire war, and
4.5 pei cent of the forces raised
after the draft was authorized.
During the last congress the
Chamberlain bill providing for uni
versal service made its appearance,
It's Introduction was, as now ap.
pears, the overture to a general
plan TO revolutionize our democratic
institutions and place them upon {
military basis Prussian militarisn
is based on universal service. Aside
from the concrete reasons assigned
for entering the war with Germany
the public mind is expected to ac
cept the added reason that we also
to assist IN crushing militarism
In carrying out the latter, however
the present program is plungine
the American people into the very
form of militarism which 1t is pro
posed we are to crush.
That the undemocratization o!
3 our institutions Is making headway
1t is only necessary to point out
that the Military Affairs committee
of the House of Representatives is
now holding secret sessions, with
officials of the war and navy de-
partmerts closeted with the com
mittee, conscription being under
consideration.
| From statements of government