The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1903-02-21

OF the corner stone were impressive. The
invocation was pronounced by the Right
Rev. Henry Y. Satterlee, bishop OF Wash
ington, the assemblage standing unco;-
cred during the prayer. After music by
the band President Roosevelt was intro
duced by General Gillespie chief of the
given cordial ovation. Ills address fol-
lows:
"Genilemcn--lt should be a matter Of
pride and congratulation 10 every American
citizen interested in the welfare of his
country that today we lay the foundation
stone OF a building the erection of which
signalizes a long stride forward in secur-
ing the efficiency OF the United States
army, step no less important than that
marked by the enactment OF TIE law to
create a general staff, but step supple
menting the passage OF the act, rounding
il out and rendering il of a far wider and
far deeper usefulness.
"One word first to the nation, and then
another to the army. To the nation first /:
1t has well been said that the surest way to
invite national disaster is for a nation TO
be opulent aggressive and unarmed Zap
plauseD. The nation that is rich, that is so
high spirited as TO be somewhat careless of
giving ofiensc, and that yet refrains from
the preparedness which is absolutely neces-
sary for efficiency in war, is ever to be
shown, such a nation is laying deep the
foundation for humiliation and disaster.
As a people, whether we will or will not,
we have reached the stage when we must
play a great part in the worlds affairs. II
is not open to us to decide whether or not
we shall play it. All we have to decide Is
whether we shall play il well or i'll. The
part is before us we have to play it. All
that it rests for us to do is to say that we
will play it well. (Applause.)
This nation has by the mere trend of
events been forced into a position of
world-power. during the past few years. II
has responsibilities upon it here, in the
Occdcnt and in the Orient as well. 1t
cannot bear its responsibilities Alright un-
less its voice is potent for peace and JUS
tice and its voice can be potent for peace
and justice only on condition of its being
thoroughly understood that we ask peace
not in the spirit of the weakling and the
craven, but with the assured self-conhdence
of the just man armed. cloud applause.)
so much for the lesson to be learned
by our people from the movement in which
the erection OF this building is a part.
Nov a word to the officers and enlisted
men of the army: The last two or three
years have witnessed a notable awakening
in our people to the well-being OF the army.
Our people are understanding as never be-
fore the fact that the army, like the navy,
will do we'll in war mainly in proportion
as it has been prepared well in peace that
after the war has begun it is too late for
us to prepare for the victory. Defeat will
come inevitably and surely il the prepara-
ton is put off until the war begins, and
victory will come If it has been prepared
for in time of peace and OH no other terms.
During the session of congress that is
now closing we have seen the first stride
taken in putting the national guard, the
militia OF the country, on a footing OF
efficiency; the first long stride taken on
the lines marked out by Washington him
self the first successful effort made to
put into effect Washington's plan, which
for 40 years was disregardcd by our peo-
pie and, again, the first long stride as
toward increasing the efficiency of the
army in accordance with modern methods,
as urged by General Sherman over quar-
ter of a century ago. 1t takes time and
thought and care to work out necessary
reforms.
They don't come in a jump. All kinds
OF distractions of deliberate purpose, OBJ
structions OF mere inertia, distractions
Of carelessness have to lie met with and
overcome, but at last they are overcome