Herein our Navy has an immense advantage, but because we are thus
fortunately bred, there is no need that we should forget that breeding,
or neglect the long education we have had, and allow the youth of
the country to imagine there is no need of their service. On the
contrary, there is more need of their service than ever, and for the
furtherance of this purpose we are all anxious that as many of our
hopeful lads, who have a turn for seafaring and adventure, should join
the Navy League at once, and “train” to be defenders of their country
as young and smart “sea-dogs” of the old, dauntless, unconquerable
mettle. Every help should be given to this end, especially through the
women, the mothers of strong and gallant boys, who can influence their
sons and imbue them with the true spirit of patriotism, and while we
work to strengthen and replenish this vital and necessary force on
which we depend so much for our defence and our means of existence,
we should think--we who “sit at home at ease,” of the long periods
of watchfulness endured by the men of our Fleet at sea in waiting at
every turn for each fresh move of an insidious and unscrupulous foe. We
should manage to let them know that their work is not all in vain; that
there are plenty of young fellows ready to follow them when the time
comes, and join in their splendid service of the guardianship of the
sea.
In this effort, the Navy League is a fine and necessary institution.
It keeps the youthful spirit of the Navy alive and enthusiastic, and
it reminds us of what might otherwise be forgotten, that far more than
all other defences we rely on the Sea and our Fleet to preserve our
existence and protect us from invasion.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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