Major General Smedley Darlington Butler, (1881-1940) Major General USMC, "Old Gimlet Eye'' and "Hell Devil Darling", most highly decorated military man from the pre-World War II era Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Comment on this quote Share via Email Print this Page [1-5] of 5 Major General Smedley Darlington Butler quotesMajor General Smedley Darlington Butler QuotesMajor General Smedley Darlington Butler My mental faculties remained in suspended animation while I obeyed the orders of the higher-ups. This is typical with everyone in the military.~ Major General Smedley Darlington Butler I spent 33 years in the Marines. Most of my time being a high-class muscle man for big business, for Wall Street and the bankers. In short, I was a racketeer for capitalism. I helped purify Nicaragua for the international banking house of Brown Brothers in 1909-1912. I helped make Mexico and especially Tampico safe for American oil interests in 1914. I brought light to the Dominican Republic for American sugar interests in 1916. I helped make Haiti and Cuba a decent place for the National City Bank boys to collect revenue in. I helped in the rape of half-a-dozen Central American republics for the benefit of Wall Street...~ Major General Smedley Darlington Butler War is just a racket. A racket is best described, I believe, as something that is not what it seems to the majority of people. Only a small inside group knows what it is about. It is conducted for the benefit of the very few at the expense of the masses.~ Major General Smedley Darlington Butler I wouldn't go to war again as I have done to protect some lousy investment of the bankers. There are only two things we should fight for. One is the defense of our homes and the other is the Bill of Rights. War for any other reason is simply a racket.~ Major General Smedley Darlington Butler I believe in adequate defense at the coastline and nothing else. If a nation comes over here to fight, then we'll fight. The trouble with America is that when the dollar only earns 6 percent over here, then it gets restless and goes overseas to get 100 percent. Then the flag follows the dollar and the soldiers follow the flag.~ Major General Smedley Darlington Butler Share on Facebook Tweet Email Print