Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-09-13

Maddocks. y.
S222nd Service Co. commanded by
Cart. Emmett E. Byrd, Lieut.. Cur
tbs William Dyer, Lieut., Eugene =.
Bachelor, personnel from Gannett
Publishing CO., and Vickery and Hill
Publishing Co.
r. 0. 7. c.. and c. NJ. #. c.. COM
manded by Lieut.. Alden Merrill with
Sylvester Poor, personnel. composed
of young men of Augusta who have
attended these camps and courses of
instruction and men eligible for the
same.
American Red Cross led by Miss
Margaret Brann. This unit was
made up of 10 nurses. representa-
tives from the Executive Committee
and Auxiliary Units.
Boy Scouts of America, Troop No.
l of Augusta, Jack Hyde, scout mas
ter.
G. A. n. Vets Recei:e Ovatoon
Grand Army of the Republic, I'M
der the command of Commander
George E. Gay. The members of
the Grand Army with their colors
were applauded all along the line
and as q mark Of respect to this fast
thinning line OF blue they were in
>AtSu " thC SpSahClS
the exercises which followed the
parade in Market Square.
The exercises at the square were
simple but inspiring. After prayer
Tor the National Welfare by Lieut..
Thomas J. Mclaughlin, rector OF S..
Mary's church of this city, the ad-
dress of the day was delivered by
Congressman John E. Nelson. The
Augusta Military Band then played
the National Anthem, this bringing
the brief but impressive ceremony to
a close. The text of Congressman
Nelson's address was as follows:
1--WE have gathered here today, as
men and women of Augusta, to rem
der a patriotic service to our State
and nation. Involuntarily, my mind
harks back to a day seven years ago,
when we gathered in this square, as
we are gathered now, and took SER
ious counsel together on matters in
volving the fate of this nation, and
the lives Of our American boys. We
had just entered the World War.
From sea to sea the youth of this
land had answered the country's
call for men, and enrolled for SER
vice, eleven million strong. ThoUs-
andS of boys had already volunteer
ed. We had entered the World War,
and entered wholly unprepared. For
months, we of America had realized
that war was inevitable, yet I'VE had
done nothing to prepare for it,.
Already in the midst of the war,
we met then to float the first Liberty
Loan, to obtain the money with
which to equip our boys with the in
strumcnts of modern warfare. so es-
sential to the safeguarding of lives
| and the bringing of victory. What
that unpreparednesS cost America
in unnecessary hardship, expense.
suffering, loss of life, and prolonga-
ton of the wdr, can never be known
or estimated.
THE World War taught us a les
. son that l trust we shall never for
get. America loves peace, and hates
war. We have never been q militar-
! istic nation. We never can be I'M
der our Constitution. which forbids
an appropriation for the army for
| more than two years and requires a
biennial election of Congressman.
| We have had resourse to arms in
! the past. but only as last resort
and in a righteous cause. Thank
! God. our flag has never been unfurl-
| ed in a war of aggression, never
been carried into a fight except one
| for justice and human freedom, and,
! once unfurled, has never been lower
| ed until the wrong was righted.
America stands today for peace with
all the world. Her great influence
! is being excrted toward that end.
| The late President Harding said: III
I catch the conscience of America.
| we shall lead the world to outlaw
war" We are doing that today. The
| Limitation of Arms Conference. call
ed by America and held at Wash
| ington, sunk more ships than have
Leen sunk in war for the. past nifty
years. We sent to war-torn Europe
| great American who formulated a
! comprehensive and workable plan
for the pacification of the Old World.
We are seeking today TO outlaw
aggressive warfare and to. bring about
another limitation of ornaments
conference.
America seeks peace. America
| is idealistic. but hers is practical
idealism. Promotion of peace is not
furthered by denial of the lessons
of history. We are compelled to
confront the realities of the world
and one of these is that international
agreement to limit armies has not
yet been brought into effect. Until
that time comes it is national duty
TO provide for the common defense,
to be prepared at all times to protect
American citizenship and he
flag. at home and abroad. on land
and sea. The surest guarantee Of
,o Inf ri
of II. the strongest temptation to
other nations to wage aggressive war
fare against us.
1.-THE preamble to the Constitution
of the United States gives national
defense as one of the main objects
for which our government was form
ed. Congress in 1892. determined
that all male citizens between the
ages of IS and 45 years should be
available for military duty in time of
war. In 1920. after a most exhaus-
tive study of every salient fact and
experience ip our military history.
especially those Of the Great War.
Congress passed our present Nation
al Defense Act. This act calls for q
! small permanent army. with provi-
sion for its expansion to meet ma
tional emergency. The military
forces are organized into separate
units scattered over the country.
The great majority of them are the
organized reserves. and are merely
skeletons into which. upon a deelar-
alton of war. the great body Of re-
cruits would be received. Meantime
the Regular Army and the National
Guard constitute the first line Of de-
Tense. The National Guard is to have
a peace strength OF 100000 men.
with provision for its expansion
through the reserves, in war time,
to approximately AS. 900 men. These.