
This work opens a thoughtful discussion on how a nation can safeguard its borders without relying on a massive standing army. It argues that true patriotism lies in the pursuit of peace, and that informed citizens—armed with facts rather than weapons—can shape policies that protect liberty and security. The author frames defense as a civic project, linking it to the broader home‑croft movement that promotes self‑sufficiency, community cooperation, and responsible land use.
Drawing on examples from river regulation, forest management, and agricultural settlement, the book outlines a practical plan for a “National Construction Reserve” and a “Homecroft Reserve” that could serve as a non‑militarized shield against invasion. It calls readers to study these ideas, share them with friends, and lobby for legislative measures that embed these defenses into everyday life. By presenting a clear, fact‑based alternative to traditional militarism, the text invites listeners to imagine a resilient, peaceful America built on collective effort.
Language
en
Duration
~7 hours (411K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Bryan Ness, Josephine Paolucci and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net. (This book was produced from scanned images of public domain material from the Google Print project.)
Release date
2011-12-13
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1860–1946
Best remembered as a driving force behind the American reclamation movement, this lawyer and public advocate helped push irrigation and water-development issues into national politics at the turn of the twentieth century. His work is closely linked with the campaign that led to the 1902 Reclamation Act.
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