New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-12
When Our Volunteer System FAILED
Bv Stanley ]. Quinn

and make military instruction regular
part Of collegiate education. we can never
be safe till this is done
The lesson learned in 1875 and 1917 was
forgotten when the Civil War began. both
sides entered that conflict with an army OF
volunteers But in 1862 the Confederacy'
more quick than the North to sense the ne
cessity Of universal service, provided that
every able bodied man between the years OF
eighteen and thrty-fve was liable to mill
tary duty One year later the Federal Con
gress abandoned the illusions that had misled
the North for two disastrous years and
adopted compulsory system.
Those who now propose to block universal
service either are ignorant of our military
history or wifully prefer to sec this nation
play a shameful and perhaps disastrous part
i'm the great events through which the world
il nassing. Whether our armies are now
needed in Europe to seal the fate OF the au-
tocracy that IS seeking to impose It's VIII on
the world, or whether they will be employed
here NJ home to protect the nation from the
possible results of this worldwide uphesval,
| is beside the question. The United States Is
! now at war with the greatest military force
ever assembled. It must have an army, and
il must secure and maintain that armyY IN
the only way that experience has shown TO De
effective.
A volunteer system that failed when the
freedom Of America was in the balance, ana
| that failed again when our existence as
nation was threatened, cannot be relied upon
in the present crisis. Committed to tremeh-
dous struggle the United States must come
sooner or later, to a system OF compulsor!
and universal service. And for every gay
and every hour that is wasted IN futle oe-
pendence on volunteers the nation mus'
eventually pay, in lives, in treasure ana III
opportunity.
II Is distressing to learn that certain mem
bers of Congress now doubt the popularity
of universal service. This Is no ume loi
Conoress to consider the temporary and local
effect of its actions. 1t is time 70 tnihk Oh
tbe future of a nation rather than the tenn
nor If constituency. But what hope of vol
unteer army can any legislator entertain VINO
doubts the popularity" of universal sys-
tom which Justly distributes the burdens OF
military service among those best able to bear
them?
Congress alone has the power to declare
war. Congress alone has power to raise and
sunport armies" And, having committed the
nation to war, Congress must now raise and
support" an army that is fit to represent the
nation. ,
For three years the country has watched
war clouds approach. 1t has wondered ana
, protested at the inactivity of legislators who
observed the portents, but made no prepare
| ton for the storm. 1t is in no mood now 10
brook interference or opposition from those
who should have provided for an adequate
military force while we were still at peace.
To doubt the popularity" of universal ser
vice is to belittle the patriotism of the youth
of America. Nothing can keep Americans
from the service of their country save. per-
haps, the thought that strikers and towards
may profit from their sacrifice
The time for sophistry and sham has
passed. The fires of patriotism and loyalty
are alight in millions of hearts. And for each
man who sincerely loves his country loyalty
and patriotism spell but one thing-service
not where and when he pleases. but service
where and when his country calls