The Peril of the Republic of the United States of America - Percy T. Magan

(our own excepted) in their military chest, with a
Bonaparte for a commander, could not by force
take a drink from the Ohio or make a track on the
Blue Ridge in a trial of a thousand years.” These
words are undoubtedly true. It therefore follows
that with us a large standing army can only be of
use for preying upon helpless peoples near us; that
is, for the purpose of buccaneering. It is now being
seriously urged that the standing army of the
United States be increased to 100,000 fighting
men; that is, about four times its size at the
beginning of 1898. To train and keep standing such
a force is simply to train men to become good
subjects of a monarchy, and inefficient citizens of
the republic. The two things can not possibly
survive together. It is now for this nation to choose
whether it will stick to the old paths, and discard
large standing armies in times of peace, or whether
it will unnecessarily adopt what the Old World
monarchies would fain throw off, but which they
find to be an evil necessary to their very existence.
Should she choose in this matter as in others to
return, like the prodigal son, to the ways of the Old
World, her manifest destiny will be fixed. She will
265