New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-12
U. S. NAVY LEAGUE.
Roosevelt FoIlo,cing IN WasIiHgtoa'a
Footsteps.

Footsteps.
rAt the d.uue- OF the Navy Lessee o. TIRE Uoi,sa
States In London on Wash.-rt1a's H.r-afsy 20
american Au-hassa.-or made q speech. 81 lch .
i1s TIE exhibition OF ,ss Iater1ss.oaal soe.s;y &c
ScCIptors. Painters and GrayersI
This IS a new departure for cur coua-rylrsn IL
London Il IS following q ECod old path. how
ever trodten ar home for century. Use ce3eor1ta
ones more the birth OF the greatest American.
Il Is over a hundred yssrs since the father 90
Rooert =. Lee. in his euIosy ard also IN rssolu-
lions IN Congress. declared Washington. First Ii
war. first IN peace aid first i1 the hearts O. IA
oouHerymsn.~ That verdict has never esen M
pUgned- The giories OF later and vastly sreatsr
wars have not dimmed his fame q soldier TIA
achievements since then os popular leaders wa
have doubled again and again che national domain.
or guided the country safely thrOuEa sisanto cons
vUlsicns and led II 70 It's unexampled prosperity
and power. stu leave him the first or our sratos-
men. Neither JeffsrSon's Dloritioos. nor Weostera
eNpOsitiOus OF the Constitution. nor Llnco,ns seq
ond inaugural nor even the speech a Gettys-
ouFs. have displaced the farewell address either IN
the affection OF Americans or in its influence 70 thia
day over their Judgment and conduct
The London Section OF TIE Navy League % ths
United States was happily Inspired % appropriate
this anniversary FOR IT'S own use. For among OuR
early statesmen II was Washington who most eIeOs
lively urged ability and readiness TO meet foreSa
Zoe as the suress means OF having no foreign foes.
and the great navy OF our country. whose fur,heS
development you wish to eucOUraSs and prorlosaa
has Just that for its chief purpose to-day.
IN his very last annual message. December, ~
Washington set forth. IN the calm and measured
language habituaI 70 him. the necessity even then
IN the Infancy OF the Republic. FOR thu Immediate
development OF its naval strength. 1T is our Owa
experience he said. that the most sincere neu-
trality is not sufficient guard against the depreda-
lions or nations at war. To secure respect Tor
neutral Tag requires naval force. organized ana
ready. TO vindicats It from INSULT aggression
This may even prevent the necessity OF going 70
by discouragtns belliserent powers from coma
hitting such violations OF the rights OF thu neutral
party may first or last. leave no other option"
There Is the whole philosophy OF the Big Sticks
1t began, In our Presidential records, with Georga
Washington. and was merely accepted IN al hOns
esty It stood and put into picturesque language
by Theodore Roosevelt.
Well gentlemen. what your league IS undertaking.
then Is 70 back up Theodore Roosevelt against ali
corners IN his fell purpose follow in the footsteps
OF George Washington At home there stiu seeing
70 be need for considerable activity In that dtreO-
ton, since We have yet. as they had a hundred
years ago. certain number OF people who in theory
very much in favor OF WashingtOns policy. bua
in practice are very much against it's enforcement
They say IL costs too much. And, besides IL 10
too great a temptation to the whom they
elect nowadays TO Office. They can't trust thess
run. means. OF course, that they can't trust them-
sslveS-to have at hand the weapons for selr-ds-.
fence since this may make them Quarresorne. ans
keep involved in perpetual wars But. II We
far gone that. utterly degenerats>N
wouldn't Il be better TO 20 out OF business ou--
own account. and ask some other government @
greater self-control to take interest<-
for usf
OF course these critics don't mean much
they say. Whenever the need Is right thsy
are warmly IN favor OF a big navy you ara
Your task Is merely TO offset their intervals %
hanging back. and keep the navy always Teadys
without reference to their hot and cold fits.
London Is a good point for that sort OF work.
You meet here every year swarrns OF the leading
men IN their respective communities from all over
country. AT hons they absorbed IN thslr
own Affairs. Perhaps you have also noticed an
other characteristic OF good Americans. When
lean than they at homeI Take them then al
the psychological moment, ana enlist them IN the
Navy League.
long had such leagues England has one. France
has. Germany has. II IS the American habit %
purpose az least not TO lag behind any OF thass
countries In fostering care for our own.
We are all proud OF the personnel OF our navy. Z
have never been brought into Of1cial relations
abroad with American naval officer whom one
country. Let make these men feel that va
take the kssnsst interest IN them3 that ars
proud OF them and OF their ships. and that noE
make the government. stand behind than. and can
promise that thsir country IN every emergency wiIa
DO thu sams-