Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1914-12-16


because 1t is our dearest present nope
that this character and reputation
may presently, in Gods providence,
bring US an opportunity to counsei
and obtain peace in the world ana
reconciliation and healing settle-
ment of many matter that has cooled
and interrupted the friendship OF
nations. This is the time above all
others that we should wish and re-
solve to keep our strength by seif-pos-
session, our influence by preserving
our ancient principles of action.
Ready for Defense.
From the first we have had ciear
and settled policy with regard 10
military establishments. We never
have had, and while we retain our
present principles and ideals we never
shall have, large standing army.
If asked, are you ready to defeno
yourselves? We reply, most assureu,
ly, to the utmost; and yet we snaii
not turn America into a military
camp. We must depend In every tinie
of national peril, in the future as III
the past not upon standing army
nor vet upon reserve army, but upon
a citizenry trained and accustomed
to arms. It will be right enough, rlghl
American policy. based upon our ac-
customed principles and practices 70
provide system by which every
citizen who will volunteer for
the training may be made familiar
with the use of M dern arms, the ruoi-
ments of drill and maneuver, and the
maintenance and sanitation OF camps
We should encourage such training
and make it a means OF dlsclpllne
which our young men will learn 70
value. The National Guard OF the
states should be developed and
strengthened by every means which IS
not inconsistent with our obligations
to our own people or with the estaD-
lished policy of our government. AND
this, also, not because the time OF oc-
casion specially calls for such meas
ures. but because it should be our
constant policy to make these provi-
sions for our national peace and SAFE
ty.
More than this carries with 1t re-
yersal of the whole history and cnar
acter of our polity. More than tnls'
proposed at this time, permit me to
say, would mean merely that we had
lost our elf-possession, that we hao
been thrown off our balance by war
with which we have nothing to do,
whose causes cannot touch us, whose
very existence affords us opportun-
tiles Of friendship and disinterested
service which should make IS
ashamed of any thought of hostility
or fearful preparation for trouble.
This is assuredly the opportunity for
which {. people and government like
ours were raised up, the opportunity
not only to speak but actually to en-
body and exemplify the counsels or
peace and amity and the lasting con.
cord which is based on justice and fair
and generous dealing.
Ships Our Natural Bulwarks.
A powerful navy we have always
regarded as our proper and natural
means of defense; and it has always
been of defense that we have thought,
never of aggression or of conquest.
But who shall tell us now what sort
of navy to build? We shall take leave
to be strong upon the seas, in the
future as in the past; and there will
be no thought Of offense or Of provo
cation in that. Our ships are our
natural bulwarks. When will the ex-
perts tell Us just what kind we should
construct-and when will they be
right for ten years together, il the
relative efficiency of craft Of differ
ent kinds and uses continues to
change as we have seen 1t change
under our very eyes in these last
few months?
But / turn away from the subject.
1t is not new. There is no new need
to discuss it. Let there be no miscon.
ception. The country has been misin-
formed. We have not been negligent
of national defense. We are not I'm
mindful of the great responsibility
resting upon us. We shall learn and
profit by the lesson of every expert
ence and every new circumstances;
and what is needed will be adequately
done.
Great Duties of Peace.
close, as / began, by reminding
you of the great tasks and duties of
peace which challenge our best powers
and invite us to build what will last,
the tasks to which we can address
ourselves now and at ali times the
free-hearted zest and with all the finest
gifts of constructive wisdom we pos
sess. To develop our life and our re-
sources; to supply our own people, and
the people of the world as their need
arises, from the abundant plenty Of
our fields and our marts of trade; to
enrich the commerce of our own states
and of the world with the products OF
our mines, our farms, and our fac
tories. with the creations of our