Evening journal., 1917-03-10
WRITER OPPOSED TO
military TRAINING
William Candy Ferris Tells
Mayor Price of His Views
on Subject
POPULAR CONSENT
BEFORE MAKING WAR

Aitnough several days have elapsed
since Mayor Price asked for exnres-
sions from citizens OF Wilmington on
'ne question Of whether universal
iniiilary training should be provided
ior by Federal law. so far only one
ie''er expressing an opinion has been
received. This was received vester-
day by Mayor Price from William
CANDY Ferris, resident of Arden the
single Tax Colony north of this citv
Mr. Ferris opposes compulsory train
ing. lie says:
Wilmington, s-s-191T.
10 Mayor Price. OF Wilmington Dal
Your invitation to citizens OF viii,
mington, to write to you in order that
you may feel the pulse of public opin-
ion' regarding military training. shows
you to be a true believer in the funda-
mental principle of Democracy: even
though you call yourself a Republi-
can. All true government is based
on the consent Of the governed?
"Honored Sir, the people Of the
United States do not want warl And
they have shown it in hundred ways
still less do they want compulsory
military training Of the youth. and
all able-bodied citizens, fit for mill
tary duty; because It would destroy
the ideals on which our Republic was
founded; and would substitute for
them the caste and rank, which is
ever part Of the environment of the
officers of an army.
1t is easy for our daily papers. In
screaming headlines, 20 call those
Senators traitors, who fought against
majority, to deny to President VIII
son, the legal right to begin hostilities
When he sees fit to do so. and call
such action an armed neutrality.
"Honored Sir, the Congress OF the
United States alone has the Consti-
tutional right to declare war. and such
an act would be war; even though we
call it armed neutrality.
But, | 90 much further than this
when l tell you, in my opinion, even
congress should insist on referendum
vote Of the whole population, before
declaring war, unless our country be
invaded by a hostile army Such
referendum vote should include wo-
men, as well as. men, for women must
bear the men who are to be shot
down, and in war time they suffer as
much as men.
Military training OF all our able
bodied citizens is so far away from
my convictions of the way to prevent
war, that l am sure it would 90 far
to provoke the conflict. Furthermore,
/ am sure that the citizens of these
United States will never submit to it.
To become an expert man-killer is not
desirable end of the education of
our youth
"You may ask me what precautions
the United States should take 10
safeguard the lives and freedom of our
citizens? Allow me TO express. in
few words, my convictions on this i'm
pOrtant subject. Our country is in no
danger of invasionl But our people
are in great danger of starvation,
with all our banks Oyerflowing with
money. because our wheat Is going,
and has gone. to feed the men in the
tfencneS. Let President Wilson close
all our ports, and cease TO send to
Europe, either food or instruments Of
death. AS men keep far away from
tank of burning oil, let us keep afar
off from the European war until it
shall have burnt itself out, and the
combatants cease to fight. Only lint.
bandages, and hospital stores should
be sent over now. So shall we cease
to pile up useless gold at the expense
of the bloodshed and agony OF the
people of Europe. We should help to
feed the orphans and widows. viii
you not inclose this letter, in
one Of your envelopes, and send it
to THE EVENING JOURNAL, Of this
city, with a request that it be print
ed / earnestly desire that many
citizens may have an opportunity to
read it, and I am fully convinced that
my convictions, as here expressed, are
shared by a majority OF the citizens
Of the Republic, who are misrepre-
scented by the yellow press. With great
respect, l am,
Yours sinCprply