The Republican journal., 1921-10-13
cruel cost of War he said;

lam greatly encouraged by the action
which President Harding has taken in
calling a conference for National dis
armament. have faith to believe that
the peoples of this world. not only the
people of this country, but the peoples of
the other War-torn countries are going to
insist that the world disarm. l am not
altogether an idealist; consider myself
very practical man, but l do believe
that the. moral forces of the world are
going to say to those military men who
seek to dominate it, "a new day has
dawned for the world; you shall no longer
control its thought; no longer shall YOU
force men to fight with one another so
that you and your selfish interests may
profit by the sacrifice of human life and
treasure"
'Y ou military autocrats must loosen
your grip, which from time immemorial
you have had on world affairs" History
is no longer to be just recital of battles
on land, of naval engagements, and of
great generals; it is going to be a history
of progress, where the rights of the COM
mon people, so-called, are going to be
paramount to the rights of those few
who for centuries have exploited those in
humber stations. believe disarmament
is coming, and l am thankful that we
have in the White House man big and
broad enough to lead in such a great
movement. If America does not lead, who
else is there to lead; | am not afraid of
the military forces of Japan, Germany or
of any other country because l think
they are soon to be controlled and check
ed by the peoples of those countries who
are weary of supporting useless, danger
Gus and oveIbearing military establish
ments.
The Governor of the State is, by virtue
of his office, Commander in Chief of the
military and naval forces of the State.
We must, of course, have some military
force in the State of Maine; it is abso-
lutely necessary that the authorities of
every state have the support of mill
tary establishment | want to say to the
men wi o have rendered such faithful ser
vice in the years gone by, that no matter
how faithfully you served, there really is
another obligation that rests upon you as
citizen soldiers. AS long as we live in
community, as long as we share the COM
munity life, there are certain obligations
resting upon US all. We can never quite
fulfill all of our duties to the state and to
the community in which we are living.
Is it not proper that you men who have
had military training, who are able to
give to the State of Maine your services
in the National Guard, should continue
to serve and thus let the State of Maine
have the benefit of your training and ex-
perience. | want to see a National Guard
In the State of Maine that ranks as high
as, If not little higher than any Ma
tlonal Guard IN the country
do not want to build up great mill
tary establishment. There is no man in
the state of Maine who is more opposed
to great military establishment or to
the domination of military autocrats than
is your present governor. | want, how
ever, to see loyal true men, such as your
selves, in the National Guard, men on
whom the chief executive of the state
may call in case there is need. And so /
say these few things about your duty,
notwithstanding the fact you have al
ready served your state and nation so
faithfully. You have responded so nobly
in the past that do not hesitate to ask
you to do so again. While we are here
together, and while we are responsible
tor. tue affairs of this state-and you
men and women are Just as responsible
as am-WhIle we are all here together
WORKING as cItlZens, we must not forget
I the fact that we are under certain obli-
cations, and if we fulfill them we shall be
doing our full duty as citizens of Maine.
The eX-serviCe men of this country
must lay out straight course and must
not deVlate from it. There will be temp
tatlons in your path; there will be temp
tations OF every kind, both in politics and
in other phases of civil life, but the mo.
ment they allow themselves to be made
the tool OF any interest, or ally them
selves with any party. they are going tc
lose their weight in the councils in this
nation. want you all, men and women
| to be polltlcls rs, but politicians of the
highest type. By politician | mean a
citizen who appreciates his or her dity
! as member of the community and who
/ takes part IN the political life of the com.
munlty. l hope you will never be poll
uclans IN the common acceptance of the
word which means schemers, self-seek-
ers, where the good of the community as
whole Is subordinated to private gain
| either IN power, position or wealth. The
American Leglonaries should become the
highest type of politician and that simply
means being real, conscientious, unset
llsh, willing citizen of the community.
am impressed by the fact that this
orldge Is fitting memorial, and the
] thousands of our citizens who daily pass