The San Francisco call., 1897-06-03

we had not already possessed the nucleus OF
the new navy, we would almost certainly nave
been forced into fighting; and even as II was
trouble WAS oniy averted Dy the resoiute stano
taken by the Presldent u ana the ofncers OF the
navy who were on The spot. II, at that tlme,
the Chileans had been able to get ready the
battle-ship that was build ng for them. war
would almost certainly have followed, Tor We
had no battle-ship to put against IT.
If in the future we nave war 1t VIII almost
certainly come because OF some action, or lack
OF action, on our part in the way OF refusing
to acce pt responsibilities at the proper Time OF
failing 10 prepare for war when war does hot
threaten. An iguohle peace is even worse
tha an unsuccessful war; but an unsuccesS-
ful war would leave behind 1t legacy OF
bitter memories which would hurt our Ma
tional development ior generation 70 come
1t is true that no nation could actuel!y con-
quer US, owing to our isolated position, but
we would be seTiou ly harmed even materl-
ally by disasters that stopped far short OF con-
quest, and in these matters, which are lar
more important than things material, we
could readily be damaged beyond repair.
II ever we had to meet defeat at the hands
OF 8 foreign foe, or had to submit tamely 10
wrong or insult, every man among US worthy
of the name OF American would feel dishon-
ored and debased On the other hand, the
memory OF every triumph won by Americans
Dy just so mucn helps 10 make each American
nobler aud better. Every man among US is
aore tit to meet the duties and esponsibillties
OF citizenship because of the periis over which
in the past the Nation has triumphed; De-
cause OF the blood and sweat and tears, the
labor and the anguish, through which, In the
days tnat have gone, our torefaIhers moved on
to triumph.
There are higher things in this life than the
soft and easy enjoyment OF material comfort.
1t is through STRIFE or the readiness for strife
that a nation can win greatness. We ask lor
great navy, partly because we think that the
possession OF such a navy is the surest guar
antee OF peace, and partly because we ieel that
no national lie is worth having II the nation
is not willing, when the need shall arise 10
stake every thing on The supreme arDitra n ent
OF war, and 70 pour out lis blood, lis treasure
and tears like water, rather than Su bmit 10
the loss OF honor and reuown.
n closing, let me repeat that we ask Tor
great navy, ask for armament n Tor The
Nations needs, not primarily 10 tight, but to
avert fighting. Preparedness deters the Zoe
and maintains right by the show Of ready
might without the use OF violence. Peace,
like freedom, is not a gift that tarries long IN
the hands OF towards or OF those too fee Bile or
too shOrtsighted 10 deserve it; and we ask 10
be gwen the means 10 insure that honorable
peace which is alone worth having.
AZ the close of the speech Commodore
Wallace congratulated Roosevelt in behalf
of those present upon his very able ad-
dress. In bringing the exercises formally
10 a close, Commander Goodrich said the
address would tend TO make all present
stronger as meTicans, and could not fail
navy were in the hands of competent men.
Later Roosevelt made a stirring address
To the boys at the training station. This
afternoon he went TO Herreshoff's works
on the Cushing to inspect the torpedo
boat Dupont. Tonight he left for New
York.