The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-12-16

Oh WHICH tney approve, anu thdl IL Ii
being applied with good bushes:
sense and management.
The sort of economy we ought ::
practice may be effected, and ought Il
be effected, by a careful study ant
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 it perfectly
evident what it was spent for and In
what way it was spent.
1t is not expenditure but extrava'
gance that we should fear being criti'
cized for; not paying for the legiti
mate enterprises and undertakings OF
a great government whose people
command what it should do, but add
ing what will benefit only a few or
pouring money out for what need not
have been undertaken at all or might
have been postponed or better and
more economically conceived and car
ried out. The nation is not niggardly;
is very generous. 1t will chide US
only if 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 l shall take leave to
mention goes deeper into the princi-
pies of our national life and policy.
1t is the subject Of national defense.
1t cannot be discussed without first
answering some very searching ques.
tions.
1t 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 no
tice to put a nation in the field. a ma
ton of men. trained to arms? OF
we are not ready to do that;
and we shall never be in time Of
peace so long as we retain Jul pres
ent political principles and institu-
tons. And what is it that it is sug-
we should be prepared to do?
To defend ourselves against attack?
We have always found means to do
that, and shall find them whenever it
is necessary without calling u 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
and to avow my convictions
with deep earnestness. I have tried
to know what America is, what her
people think, what they are, what
they most cherish, and hold dear, I
hope that some of their finer passions
in my own heart, some Of the
great conceptions and desires which
gave birth to this government and
which have made the voice of this
people a voice of peace and hope and
among the peoples Of the
world. and that, speaking my own
thoughts, I shall, al least IN part,
speak theirs also, however, family and
.n%adequately, upon this vital matter.
Fear No Nation.
We are at peace with all the world.
No one who speaks counsel based
fact or drawn from a just and
Interpretation Of realities
IAN say that there is reason for fear
hat from any quarter our indepen-
lence or the integrity of our territory
threatened. Dread of the power
If any other nation we are incapable
If. We are not jealous Of rivalry in
he fields Of commerce or of any other
peaceful achievement. We mean to
i've our lives as we will; but we mean
also to let live. We are, indeed, a
rue friend to all the nations Of the
because we threaten none,
,ovet the possessions of none, desire
he overthrow of none. Our friend
ship can be accepted and Is accepted
without reservation, because 1t is Of
cred in a spirit and for a purpose
which no one need " question or
suspect. Therein lies our greatness.
We are the champions Of peace and
If concord. And we should be very
ealous of this distinction which we
sought to earn. Just now we
be particularly jealous of it,
because it is our dearest present hope
hat this character and reputation
nay presently, in Gods providence.
us an opportunity to counsel
md obtain peace in the world and
reconciliation and a healing settle
nent of mar a matter that has cooled
md interrupted the friendship of
This is the time above all
others when we should wish and re-
solve to keep our strength by self-pos-
session., our influence by preserving
our ancient principles of action.
Ready for Defense.
From the first we have had a clear
and settled policy with regard to
military establishments. We never
nave had, and while we retain our
present principles and ideals we new
shall have, a large standing army.
Il asked, are you ready to defend
yourselves? We reply. most assured
y, to the utmost; and yet we shall
not turn America into a military
camp. We will not ask u young
men to spend the best years of their
ives making soldiers of themselves.