The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-22

President Roosevelt was introduced by
Gen. G. L. Gillespie. chief Of engineers.
u. 8. A. The President was given cor
dial welcome His address follows:
Gentlemen and Ladies-It should be q
matter of pride and congratulation 10 ev-
cry American citizen interested in the well
fare of his country that to-day we lay the
foundation stone of building, the erection
of which signalizes long stride forward
in securing the efficiency OF the United
States army, a step less important than
that marked by the enactment of the law
TO create a general stan; but step supple
menting the passing 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 word to the army; To the Nation
first: 1t has been well said that the surest
way to invite national disaster is for a ma
ton to be opulent. aggressive and unarmed-
(Applausel. The nation that is rich, that
is so high spirited as 10 be careless or
preparedness which is absolutely necessary
if efficiency in war Is ever 10 be shown,
tion for humiliation and disaster. AS
people, whether We Will or not, we have
reached the stage when we must play
great part in the world. IL is not open TO
us 10 decide whether or not we shall play
it. All we have TO decide is whether we
shall play it well or i'll. The part Is before
us. We have TO play II. All that II rests
for us TO do is TO say that we will play IL
we'll. IApplause.J This Nation has by the
mere trend of events been forced into a
position OF world power during the past
few years. 1t has responsibilities resting on
il here and in the Orient as well IL can
not bear these 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.
thoroughly understand that we ask peace,
not i'm the spirit of the weakling and
the craven, but with the assured self-conf-
dence of the just man armed loud ap-
plausel So much for the lesson TO be
learned by our people from the movement
in which the erection of this building Is a
part
Now, a word to the officers and enlisted
men of the army. The last two three
years have witnessed a notable awakening
i'm 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 il has been prepared well in peace; that
after the war has begun II h too late for
US to prepare for the victory. Defeat will
come inevitably and surely II the prepara-
tions are put of until the war begins. and
victory will come IL il has been prepared
for in time of peace and on 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 himself,
the first successful effort made TO put into
effect Washingtons plea which for no
again the first long stride has been taken
toward the modernization. toward inc-eas-
ing the efficiency OF the army I'm accord
ance with modern methods as devised by
General Sherman over a quarter OF a
century ago. liz takes time and thought
to work out necessary reforms. IL does not
come in jump. AL kinds OF Instructions
OF deliberate purpose, distractions or mere
inertia, instructions of carelessness have
TO be met with and overcome, but at last
they are overcome II only a sufficient in-
tensity OF purpose lies behind those backing
the reform. And now these great steps have
been taken. Methods have been provided
for securing the increased efficiency OF the
army. and IL rests with the army itself 10
profit by what has been done.
More and more IL has become evident IN
modern war that the efficiency OF the unit
of the individual oficer and the individual
enlisted man Is going 20 be the prime factor
In deciding the fate of fought fields. The
exercises OF the barracks and the parade
ground do not make per cent OF the sol
dier's real work and do not count for per
cent In his real efficiency They are ver3