The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-12-10

the money is being spent for objects
of which they approve, and that 1t Is
being applied with good business
sense and management.
The sort OF economy we ought to
practice may be effected, and ought to
be effected, by a careful study and
assessment OF the tasks to be per
formed; and the money spent ought
to be made to yield the best possible
returns in efficiency and achievement.
And, like good stewards, we should
so account for every dollar Of our ap-
preparations as to make 1T perfectly
evident what 1t was spent for and In
what way It was spent.
Il Is not expenditure but extrava-
gance that we should fear being criti-
cized for; not paying for the legiti'
mate enterprises and undertakings OF
great government whose people
command what 1t should do, but add
ing what will benefit only a few or
pouring money out tor what need not
have been undertaken at all or might
have been postponed or better and
more economically conceived and car
rled out. The nation is not nigsardly;
it is very generous. 1t will chide US
only II we forget for whom we pay
money out and whose money 1t is we
pay.
These are large and general stand
ards, but they are not very difficult OF
application to particular cases.
The Natural Defense.
The other topic ! shall take leave to
mention goes deeper into the princi'
pies OF our national life and policy.
It is the subject of national defense.
II cannot be discussed without first
answering some very searching ques'
| tions.
II Is said in some quarters that we
are not prepared for war. What Is
meant by being prepared? 1t is meant
that we are not ready upon brief mo-
tice to put nation in the field. ma
ton OF men trained TO arms? OF
course we are not ready to do that;
and we shall never be in time OF
peace so long as We retain our pres
ent political principles and institu'
tions. And what is 1t that 1t is sug'
gested we should be prepared to do?
To defend ourselves against attack?
We have always found means to do
that, and shall find them whenever II
is necessary without calling our peo
pie away from their necessary tasks
to render compulsory military service
in times of peace.
Allow me to speak with great plain
ness and directness upon this great
matter and to avow my convictions
with deep earnestness. | have tried
to know what America is, what heI
people think, what they are, what
they most cherish, and hold dear,
hope that some of their finer passions
are in my own heart, some OF the
great conceptions and desires which
gave birth to this government ant
which have made the voice OF this
people a voice of peace and hope anC
liberty among the peoples of thu
world, and that, speaking my owl
thoughts. shall, at least IN part
speak theirs also, however. family ant
inadequately, upon this vital matter,
Fear No Nation.
We are at peace with all the world
No one who speaks counsel baset
on fact or drawn from a just ant
candid Interpretation OF realities
can say that there is reason for fea
that from any quarter our indeper
dence or the integrity OF our territor
is threatened. Dread of the powe
of any other nation we are incapabl
of. We are not jealous of rivalry u
the fields of commerce or of any othe
peaceful achievement. We mean I
live our lives as we will; but we mea
also to let live. We are. indeed
true friend to all the nations of tn
world. because we threaten non,
covet the possessions of none, desir
the overthrow of none. Our frient
ship can be accepted and Is accepte
without reservation. because II is o
fered in a spirit and for a purpos
which no one need ever question G
suspect. Therein lies our greatness
We are the champions of peace an
of concord. And we should be yer
Jealous of this distinction which "
have sought to earn. Just now W
should be particularly jealous of
because it is our dearest present hop
that this character and reputatio
may presently, in Gods providence
bring us an opportunity to couns'
and obtain peace in the world an
reconciliation and a healing settl
ment of man a matter that has coole
and interrupted the friendship
nations. This is the time above a
others when we should wish and r
solve to keep our strength by self-po
= session, our influence by preservin
our ancient principles of action.
Ready for Defense.
! From the first we have had clei
, and settled policy with regard
) military establishments. We new
+ have had, and while we retain OF
9 present principles and ideals we new
Q shall have, a large standing arm
| If asked. are you ready to defer
Q yourselves? We reply most assure
+ ly, to the utmost; and yet we sha
[ not turn America into milital
g camp. We will not ask our your
e men to spend the best years of the
f lives making soldiers of themselve