Page:Harris Dickson--The unpopular history of the United States.djvu/16

 the precarious system of volunteer militia, which was born with this republic, and adopted the essentially democratic principle that national defense is the paramount duty of every citizen. Defense of the republic—like taxes and jury duty—constitutes an obligation that cannot be laid upon the backs of a few willing horses who would be ridden to death. All must serve their turn; each must do his bit.

This fair and equal method has been put in operation. It is working well, so well that we Americans, without too greatly shocking our national pride, can now turn back to the discards and discuss the reasons.

Patriotic school histories teach us that we have been victorious in all our wars. Millions of intelligent men accept these statements, stand convinced of our natural prowess, and see no cause for changing a method under which we have apparently achieved success. But the present war has overturned all theories, established new standards, and the triumph of yesterday becomes the inevitable