The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1917-05-31
THE JEFFERSONIAN
Thursday, May 81, 1917

to universal service or compulsory service, any
other kind of service than that rendered by will.
ing men.
Some we-informed people in Congress charge
that the CONSUMPTION scheme is pet Of the
General Staff of the Army, and that the War COl-
lege finally persuaded the President to give it his
approval.
The President and Secretary of War Garrison
differed upon this very subject which difference
resulted in the latters resignng from the Cabi-
net. On February 10, 1916, the President wrote
secretary Garrison in part, as follows:
AS | have had occasion to say to you, / am
not yet convinced that the measure of prepara-
ton for national defense which we deem neces-~
sary can be obtained through the instrumentality
OF the National Guard under Federal control and
training. As you know, do not at all agree with
you III favoring compulsory enlistment for train
ing, and fear the advocacy of compuIsi0n before
the committee Of the House, on the part Of the
representatives of the Department. of War, has
greatly prejudiced the House against the proposal
Tor continental army, little necessary Connec-
ton as there is between the plan and the opinion
OF the Chief Of Staff ON compulsory enlistment
On Memorial Day the President made speech
at Arlington in which he made this statement:
| have heard great many people talk about
universal training Universal voluntary training
with all my heart if you wish it, but America does
not wish anything but compulsion Of the spirit OF
America.
Thomas Jefferson, in a letter to his friend John
Adams, expressed himself on CONSUMPTION fol-
In Virginia draft was ever the most unpopular
and impracticabe thing that could be attempted,
our people even under mOnarchlal government had
learned to consider it as the last Of all oppres-
sions.
Now, if you are disposed to treat me fairly,
you will see that Congressman Brand. with
out intending to do it, proved in Congress
that my present position against con8cri ption
not only accords with that of Thomas JefFer-
son, but with the opinions of President VIII
son, as expressed by him year ago.
1t IS the President who has changed, not /.
Secretary Garrison resigned because the
Presidents position IN FEB. 1916 lcds eract7y
the same as mine, NOW.
People should remember that not only did
President Wilson oppose CONSUMPTION in
February 1916, and virtually put Mr. Gar
rison out Of the Cabinet because Garrison
favored it, but late in December Of last year,
President Wilson attempted to act as peace
MAKER among the 6ezigeronts.
Suppose that his effort had been successful,
what would he have done about all those pre-
cedlng German atrocities, on account of which
he now proposes to draft an army for service
beyond the seas?
What was it that SO totally changed his
mind after the last days of December when
he saw nothing to cause us to take part in
the European fighting?
Congressman Brand further said
Conscripton has never yet made a good soldier
Of a man who was opposed to war
Legislative authority to consCript men does not
supply patriotism and bravery when it is lacking.
You can not make fighter of anyone by legis-
lation.
The truth is that the volunteer system has be-
come, by reason of and age and the long
recognition Of the wisdom Of it's adoption by the
people of our country, the law of the land, The
volunteer system is the rule Of raising an army
by all the nations of the earth. Conscription is
the exception, and when the exception is invoked
case Of stern necessity and grave national peril
should exist.
For the life of me can not see at present amy