Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-06-14


plays on the chess board Of the ma
tions to build up their own fortunes
fortunately our country has been free
from these things and the wars that
we have entered upon have been
fought for principle. 1t cannot be said
that these United States ever have
carried on an aggressive warfare for
conquest or gain.
The World however Is becoming q
smaller place each year and the in
more potent than ever before. At
times the future looks dark but there
must be some way out of the present
confusion. In my opinion the real
solution Is to educate our people in
the ways OF peace and to have this
influence extend broadcast over all
the world. If the rising generation is
taught tolerance and fair play and II
II Will learn - represent the rights of
others. 1t will acquire a sense Of its
obligations to its fellowmen. II the
individual can settle his - -ultfes
with his neighbors without ,resorting
to arms. there Is no reason why ma !.
tons cannot do likewise, for nations
are but groups Of individuals. There
is a very practical side to this ques-
ton and 1t Is not necessary for us to
even admit that war il Inevitable
for such IL not the case. As a matter
OF fact most wars are preventable If
the difficulties that bring them on are
faced squarely and honestly before
hostilities commence.
II have faith in President Hard.
irg's proposal that this nation should
join q World Court. and believe that
our doing so would be one Of the
Ia
has been taken.
We hear these days a good deal
Of talk about preparedness, and in 50
far as I know everybody desires to
have our country prepared to defend
Itself. There is an honest difference
of opinion however as to what pre-
paredness consists Of. Some believe
we should build up great armies and
navies,, establish forts and arsenals
along our borders and arm ourselves
to the teeth. Others, like myself, are
OF the opinion that a comparatively
small army and navy Is all that this
country needs to protect It against
invasion and to maintain order with
in our borders. for certainly we never
VIII attempt aggression.
III we are to have a reasonable
amount Of preparedness for war we
certainly should have an equal, yes
In fact much larger preparedness
for peace. We have Secretaries of
War and Of the Navy. whose func-
tons are to build up armament.
Why should we not have as a mem
Der Of the Presidents Cabinet a Sec
rotary Of Peace? He could devote
himself to bringing about friendly
relations between nations, carry on a
wonderful work Of bringing unfriend-
ly nations together, and if this were
done ultimately all points of friction
would be removed. Certainly if we
spent upon peace 10 percent of the
money we spent upon war we would
have made great progress. and the
world now would be a very different
place.
There is one subject that I want
TO bring to your attention, which
seems to be especially appropriate
for this occasion. Today this coun-
try Is infested by groups Of lawless
people, bootleggers. rum-runners and
those who purchase their wares.
These people are undermining the
constitution for which you fought.
II they are not checked ami brought
TO time the fabric of this Nation will
ldpiuly deltIlOIdte. ] on veterans
fought to save the constitution. You
fought for the clause in the consti-
tuition which guaranteed freedom to
every man regardless Of his race.
color or previous condition Of servi-
tude. The men of today must be
prepared to fight to maintain the
clause in the constitution that says
that no intoxicating liquor shall be
ca mr. fg ut, in, f,.I-
This is a great moral issue and is
just AS sacred as the one for which
you fought. There can be no dis
elimination between one section Of
the constitution and the other. AS
Governor Of the State l took a SOL
emn oath to support both the consti-
tuition of the United States and of
the State of Maine, and every gov
ernor takes similar oaths. l cannot
understand how the Governor Of the
State of New York could have taken
the action he did for certainly he has
done everything in his power to I'M
Germine the Federal Constitution
and the excuses that he now gives
are but sham.
IF you veterans as the last act of
your lives could but impress upon the
younger men and women of this
Nation the need of respect for the
constitution and of upholdng it,
even though at some small sacrifice
to personal tastes, you will have rem
dered still another service to your
country, a service that ever Will be
recalled with gratitude.
Il want the Grand Army OF the
Republic Of Maine to send message
all over this country that 1T stands
for law enforcement and for the con-
stitution.
II am glad to see so many women
nresent for women have borne their
mart in the wars of the World. They
are the ones who remain at home,
carry the burdens and bring up the
children, while the fathers and the
brothers are away at the front. 1t is
most appropriate that the several
womens organizations connected
with the Grand Army and the Sons
of Veterans should be present here
this evening. Without them l do not
know what would become of the old
soldiers whoses years weigh them
down and whose friends have so
rapidly disappeared
"In speaking to this Grand Army OF
the Republic 1 naturally fall into
military phrases. 1t seems to me
that there always are two armies in
the field, one the vanishing army
that has just passed and has COM
pleted its work, and the other, the on
coming army of the rising genera
ton, the tramp of whose feet is
heard in the distance as it approach
cs. There is always an unendlns
procession Of human beings, those
that have about completed their lie
work and those that are coming onto
the scene of action.
"You are rapidly leaving the stage
Of life but you have the satisfaction
OF knowing that you have played
YOUR part faithfully and that due
largely to your sacrifices this coun-