Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-03-26


OF the Journal, who has conferred
many favors ana who is held in nigh
esteem by those Of US who have come
in contact with him. He signs Num-
Der Nine" which we presume is the size
of his boot, for he is by no means the
physical type that is supposed to rear
personal conflict After you read TINS
letter and have formed your opinions
upon 1t we wonder how they will com
pare with our position Oh the same
subject:
II is sincerely to be hoped that the
LEGISLATURE will soon withdraw it's pa
ternal care Of cur citizens, adjourn and
leave US to work out our own problems.
The farcical doings on Capitol Hill this
winter recall to mind the remark of
former State Treasurer Newbert, made
early in the session, that had he the
power after the Legislature had passed
the necessary appropriation bills, ne
would adjourn it and send the mem
bers home.
The complacency and nonchalent
ease with which they disposed of the
tremendous question of universal mill
itary training was amazing to say the
least The adoption OF this system,
representing as it does, a change that
will shake the very foundations of our
liberties. has caused even the Federal
government whose knowledge of our
country's needs is unquestioned, to
pause and consider thoroughly. Yet
our own Legislature. assuming to speak
the sentiment Of her people, has an
nounced that Maine is enthusiastically
behind The plan. The sentiment of the
people is best expressed by the remark
OF a well-knoWn State official. Said he,
In speaking of compulsory military
training. Il hope we haven't gotten to
that vet or rather I hope our demo-
cratic institutions Of more than a CEN
Jury have carried us way past it, 1t
IL very refreshing to note however, that
the plan to extend this system to our
High schools and academies has met
with vigorous opposition. Disguised as
offering officers positions to ambitious
young men In the High school stage of
their career. the system developed will
result in that portion OF our youths
who arc fred with an ambition for
knowledge and high usefulness In
reaceful pursuits. being called to the
front ranks in times of strife. while
their less ambitious brothers will be
spendinc months in the safety Of train
ING ccmns Such = condition would no
nvt"omelv unjust and IT is hoped tho
c-is1ature heft re adjournment will
rnt~i@vc It's record by huryinc the prom
osition.
"N1-NRu,p VINE"
pecogrizing the appeoI of all the
arguments made bv our friend araipst
universal military training. vet we
rrrst disagree With him In tho first
pIace there eoe1s to I've quite general
confusion Of tic form: "tr1irirr" aud
~e"vice." They should be kept apart
in these times If r7urn militlr,. t.l.
I.ot MS first consider that our friend
Iumlcr Nine Is UNFRAMED but pn,.-i-
oally perfect as he looks He is SUBJ
oct to service" at any time, and
must then take his training at q time
Ct life when it will come hard to him
and at stage in the countrv's affairs
when the corners are not rounded for
the unframed.
Now lot us look at training" We
train" our children for usefulness in
life for condition in which they may
be useful to themselves and to those
all around them. We already have
such compulsory, universal training.
for children over and under certain
ages They are required to go to
school and train" for the avenues of
life. At the present time this training
does not include the military instruc-
tions and physical preparation re-
auired by other first class nations.
we had neglected such course be-
cause we were living in the fools para
disc guide-marked There can be no
more war
And then in twinklinG war ten
times worse than any, of which our
histories tell, was turning the earth's
rivers blood red and shaking the very
heavens with the roar and blast and
reverDeratiOnS or unheard of gun fire.