Oxford eagle., 1918-08-29
SENATOR NARDAMAN OPPOSED
Is YEAR MINIMUM ~ DRAFT.
says This is Grown Mans War and
Should BE Fought by Grown
Men.

In the Senate during The debate
On the man power bil last Saturday
August -, among other things, Sena-
tor Nardaman, in opposing the chang,
Of the draft minimum to include boy.
Of Is years OF age, said:
Mr.. Nardaman Dir. President. ]
shall consume but a very lev moments
Of the time of the Senate this after.
noon IN the discussion OF the pending
measure. l am convinced that the
senatorial mind is about made I'D and
really | think the matter has been
talked about enough and ought 10 be
disposed Of. The subject has been
exhausted and there l. no necessity
Tor further long g-drawn-out debate ON
tins question. and | am not going 10
contribute TO the tendium Of the hour
and delay action IN the Senate by any
thing | may say.
Merely 10 keep my record straight
and with a desire only 10 promote the
interest Of my country, Mr.. President,
| desire 10 say that whatever Army
may be necessary 10 win this war
shall vote TO raise II IN the proper
way. But l Will not consent TO IN
press ls-year-Old boys INTO the ser
wee Of this country; l wili not con-
sent that the oonscript officer shall
be authorized TO invade the sacrade
precincts Of the home and take the
tender youth OF Is years OF age from
the bosom Of his mother, 10 send him
across the ocean TO die IN the trenches
OF France until 1t shall be demon
strzted beyond doubt that there i
not sufficient man power above Il
years OF age available Go win the war.
think II has been clearly shown in
this debate that there are ample men,
men nj for military service, men " no
can leave their homes and their res
pective yOcations without detriment
10 the Industrial and social interests
OF the Nation TO win this war who
are above u years Of age. l do not
thlnk II Is necessary TO go into the
nursery 10 secure soldiers TO fight
tins var. As the able and learned
Senator from Arkansas (Mr. kirby)
has well said on yesterday. This Is
a mans war and ought TO be fought
BY men To take the boys lust Is.
IN the formative period of life. and
compel him TO render service whether
he has the spirit or the physical
strength l. not conductive TO the bet
ter interests of America. Voluntary
service on the part of the youths OF
the country Is an Inspiration, but COM
pulslon kills the spirit of enterprise
and stifies the patriotic impulse.
do not believe the American people
viii approve the conscription of IN,
youth of the land to fight this war
and 1t is my conviction that the en-
aetment Of this feature of the bill
viii be a source of profound disap
pointment to the men and women o
this Republic. And | am still of tn,
opinion. Mr.. President, that the wishei
of the people even in this matte
should be considered.
The 1S-year-old boy Is not consult
ed about the law; he is not permitte,
TO participate in the election of Sena
tors and Representative; he is no
allowed to settle with the SenatOr-o
Representative whose vote compel
him to submit to the infinite sacrific
which he is called upon in this erueis
moment to make; and such treatment
l submit, is not fair. especially whe
we consider the fact that there
ample man power above the age 9
I'll to win this war. Ii Is unjust; il
un-American; il is contrary 10 ever
idea of liberty which is vouchsafie
TO every citizen by the Constitutio
Of the United States.
i think the whole plan of eonscrip
ing the boy under 2l years Of age
contrary 10 the letter and spirit I
the Constitution and the genius of oE
institutions as interpreted b. the s.
preme Court Of the United STATE
The Law books are full of rusAs ~,