"They talk about conscription as a democratic institution. Yes; so is a cemetary"

Meyer London's quote is a criticism of conscription, or the practice of requiring people to serve in the military. He is pointing out the irony of calling conscription a "democratic organization," as it is a form of required labor. He compares it to a cemetery, which is likewise a democratic organization in the sense that it is open to all citizens, despite their social class or wealth. However, a cemetery is a location of death, not of life, and London implies that conscription is similarly a location of death, not of life. He is recommending that conscription is a kind of oppression, not a type of democracy. He is also indicating that conscription is a type of violence, as it forces people to serve in the armed force versus their will. Ultimately, London's quote is an effective criticism of conscription and a suggestion of the significance of protecting specific flexibility.