In the Mexican and Civil Wars our professional fighters were Indian fighters and frontiersmen, splendid and hardy men accustomed to hardship. But they were not conversant with modern military methods. The result was civilian officers, taken from shops and offices, and the further result, in the Civil War, that a struggle which might have ended in a year took four. But we did not learn anything from that lesson. For we are about to commit again the same folly, and from the same necessity. Then, again, we have the right to demand enough time. Because we have wasted two years is no reason for hurry now, when haste means sending our boys untrained against a highly trained enemy. Do you know that McDowell was urged to take his volunteers into action by popular clamor and against his better judgment before their three-months’ enlistment expired, and that the result was the unhappy battle of Bull Run? All this means but one thing to me, a mother. It means time to train our boys and properly equip them. And it means professional military leaders. And this is pertinent now, because what we have done before we may do again. In the Civil War each State was called on for a certain number of regiments. Prominent men then raised these regiments, and they were officered by local civilians. That was not such a hardship then, because our boys were to face other regiments recruited and officered in the same way. But surely we will not do this now. I protest. I want the best, not only for my son, but for all the sons who are so valiantly offering themselves. I cannot stand back silent, with the memories I have of what war is, with the death and misery and wanton destruction of Flanders before me, with the scar of the iron heel of Germany on my heart. _I protest._ The Plattsburg idea has borne abundant fruit. It has shown three things:— 1st. That individual training cannot be had in less than several months of field service. 2d. That organization cannot be had even in so short a time. 3d. That professional leadership is necessary as opposed to officers appointed from civil life at the outbreak of hostilities. You who considered prayerfully the best doctor for your child when he was ill, are you going now to place his life in unskilled hands? This morning I stopped at one of the recruiting stations and talked to the clear-eyed young soldier on duty.—They are a fine lot, this little regular army of ours. I like to talk to them. They look me in the eye. Do you remember teaching your little boys to face the world, head up?—This young soldier had been seven years in the army. He had one more year, and unless there was a war, he was going to quit then. He liked it, but he had done his bit. No, there were not many men applying. Yes, he guessed we should need all we could get. Then he gave me this appeal to the young patriots of the country, flaming now with the fire of that highest emotion of all, love of country:—