The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1919-02-14
A. F. OF |. OPPOSED
TO M|L|TAR|SM

From the reconstruction program
of the American Federation of La
Dor the following is taken:
The trade union movement is un-
alterably and emphatically opposed
to "militarism' or a large stand
ing army. "Militarism, is a sys-
tenn fostered and developed by ty-
rants in the hope of supporting
their arbitrary authority. 1t Is util-
lied by those whose selfish ambi-
tions for power and worldly glory
lead them to invade and subdue
other peoples and nations, to de
stroy their liberties, to acquire their
wealth and to fasten the yoke of
bondage upon them. The trade un-
ion movement is convinced by the
experience of mankind that mill
tarism" brutaliZes those influenced
by the spirit of the institution. The
finer elements of humanity are
strangled. Under "militarism a
deceptive patriotism is established
in the peoples mind, where men be-
lieve that there is nobility of spirit
and heroism in dying for the glory
of a dynasty or the maintenance of
institutions which are inimical to
human progress and democracy.
"Militarism" is the application of
arbitrary and irresponsible forces
as opposed to reason and justice.
Resistance to injustice and tyran-
ny is that virile quality which has
given purpose and effect to ennobl-
ing causes in, all countries and at
all times. The free institutions of
our country and the liberties won by
its founders would have been i'm
possible had they been unwilling to
take arms and if necessary die in
the defense of their liberties Only
a people willing to maintain their
rights and defend their liberties are
guaranteed free institutions.
Conditions foreign to the institu-
tions of our country have prevented
the entire abolition of organized bo-
dies of men trained to carry arms,
A voluntary citizen soldiery supplies
what would otherwise take its
place, large standing army. To
the latter we are unalterably op-
posed as tending to establish the
evils of "militarism. Large stand
ing armies threaten the existence
of civil liberty. The history of ev-
cry nation demonstrates that as
standing armies are enlarged the
rule of democracy is lessened or
eXtinguished. Our experience has
been that even this citizen soldiery,
the militia of our states, has given
cause at times for grave apprehen-
sion. Their ranks have not always
been free from undesirable ele-
ments, particularly the tools of cor
porations involved in industrial dis
putes. During industrial disputes
the militia has at times been called
upon to support the authority of
those who through selfish interests
desired to enforce martial law while
the courts were open and the civil
authorities competent to maintain
supremacy of civil law. We insist
that the militia of our several states
should BE wholly organized and con-
trolled by democratic principles so
that this voluntary force of soldiery
may never be diverted from its true
purpose and used to jeopardize or
infringe upon the rights and liber-
ties of our people. The right to bear
arms is fundamental principle of
our government, a principle accept
ed at all times by free people as es-
sential TO the maintenance of their
liberties and institutions we de-
mand that this right shall remain
inviolate.