Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-08-21
ON DEFENSE DAY

PIC nave peen unpleaSantly I'M
pressed by Governor Bakers atti.
tude toward Defense Day. In his
present position he stands alone ex-
cept for the governor Of LaFollette's
state. Even Brother Charley"
thought better OF II and has de-
cided not to interfere with the Gov
ernment's plan. That plan. as ex-
planned by General Pershing. is for
the National Guard what a fire drill
would be for fremen.
But. II our Governor seems high
handed In his attitude, he has met
high handedness on the part of a
representative OF the War Depart
ment. assuming that Major David
Hayes Is correctly reported as say
ing at Rumford that the Governor Of
the State. which he is visiting in an
official capacity. has failed to do his
duty.
Governor Baxter is quick to make
use OF this discourtesy, as an argu-
ment in support of his position. In
deed II seems to us that he has
found something resembling argu-
ment In this incident which he de-
clares: "betrays the arrogance. and
discloses the far-reaching plans of
certain Of our military leaders,"
Now we do not for a moment be-
lleve the War Department OF this
country is trying to do in this mat
ter anything save what it regards,
and has grounds for regarding, its
manifest duty. No one has accused
the returned soldiers of the World
War as having militaristic designs
or Of having any less aversion to
war than has the most emotional
pacihst. They have seen with their
eyes. they have experienced war
with souls and bodies and do not
want any more OF 1t. but they do be-
lieve the observance OF Defense
Day" to be entirely practical and
proper. We trust the experienced
judgment OF these men and men like
Pershing farther. much farther in
matters OF this kind than we would
the opinion OF any number, who
have had no experience. But we do
think the Governor is warranted in
publicly rebuking the attitude of
Major Hayes.
We presume the Governor. under
the circumstances. was within his
Constitutional rights in preventing
any State recognition of Defense
Day. Sec. II OF Article !, OF the
State Constitution is: mo standing
army shall be kept up in time of
peace without the consent of the
Legislature. and the military shall.
IN all cases, and at all times, be in
strict subordination to the civil
authorities" Sec. 1 of Article 8 of
the Constitution provides: THE
supreme executive power in this
state shall be vested in a Cover
nor"
AS we understand the situation
the Federal department has asked
for cooperation on the part of the
State, but has not ordered OBJ
servance of the day by the National
Guard, so II is not necessary to de-
ternine what would be the result
IL the Federal Government had
given such an order to the National
Guard, but It may be of interest to
consider briefly certain features OF
the law.
The National Guard exists in any
State because the State has called
upon the Federal Government to
cooperate in the organization and
maintenance of 1t. The National
Guard is paid and equipped by the
Federal Government. of which the
President Of the United States is
commander in chief. Every member
Of the National Guard takes an oath
of fealty to the United States and
to the State Of Maine, land
that will obey the orders of the
President of the United States and
Of the Governor OF the State OF
Maine. IN tulS tuC AASSaNNAAe
comes first.
Regarding regulations of the Ma
tional Guard, Sec. 80 of Chap. ia,
Public Laws Of Maine. 1928. provides
that the organization Of the Guard,
ETC., including instruction and
training" shall be the same
as that which Is now or may here
after be prescribed or provided by
the laws of the United States for
the National Guard" In view of all
that it is possible that the author
tiles at Washington may regard the
acQuiescence of the chief executive
Of q State In their Defense Day
plans required as an act Of courtesy.
even though accompanied by pro-
test. But we do not think they will
regard the reported words of Maj.
Hayes an act Of courtesy.
Communities are not prohibited
under the Constitution from recog-
nising Defense Day" and we note
that several Of them. Bangor,
Brewer and Portland among them,
propose to do 90. They are within
their rights In 20 doing. We are
glaA to go them do 1t, m we believe
ahsy % sxprsss the sentiment Of the