Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1914-12-09
We MUST OPEN UP
GATES OF TRADE
Continued from first page. }

because IL Is our dearest present nope !
that this character and reputation !
may presently, in Gods providence, |
bring us an opportunity to counsel
and obtain peace in the world and |
reconciliation and healing settle |
ment of many a matter that has cooled |
and interrupted the friendship of
nations. 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
have had, and while we retain our
present principles and ideals we never
shall have, large standing army.
If asked, are you ready to defend
yourselves? We reply, most assured
ly, to the utmost; and yet we shall
not turn America into a military
camp. We will not ask our young
men tC spend the best years OF their
lives making soldiers of themselves.
There is another sort of energy in us.
1t will know how to declare itself and
make itself effective should occasion
arise And especially when half the
world is on fire we shall be careful
to make our moral insurance against
the spread of the confagration very
definite and certain and adequate in
deed
Let US remind ourselves, therefore,
of the only thing we can do or will
do. We must depend in every time
of national peril, in the future as in
the past, not upon a standing army,
nor yet upon reserve army, but upon
a citiZenry trained and accustomed
to arms. 1t will be right enough, right
American policy, based upon our ac-
customed principles and practices, to
provide a system by which every
citizen who will volunteer for
the training may be made familiar
with the use of modern arms, the rudi-
ments of drill and maneuver, and the
maintenance and sanitation Of camps.
We should encourage such training
and make 1t means of discipline
which our young men will learn to
value. 1t is right that we should pro-
vide it not only, bat that we should
make ii as attractive as possible, and
so induce our young men to undergo
it at such times as they can command
a little freedom and can seek the
physical development they need, for
mere health's sake, if for nothing
more. Every means by which such
things can be stimulated is legitimate,
and such a method smacks of true
American ideas. 1t is right, too,
that the National Guard of the states
should be developed and strengthened
by every means which is not incOn-
sistent with our obligations to our
own people or with the established
policy of our government. And this,
also, not because the time or occasion
specially calls for such measures, but
because ii should be our constant pol
icy to make these provisions for our
national peace and safety.
More than this carries with it re-
versal of the whole history and char
acter of our polity More than this,
proposed at this time permit me to
say, would mean merely that We had
lost our self-possession, that we had
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 us
ashamed of any thought OF hostility
or fearful preparation for trouble.
This is assuredy the opportunity for
which a people and a government like
ours were raised up, the opportunity
not only to speak but actually to en-
body and exemplify the counsels of
peace and amity and the lasting con-
cord which is based on justice and fair
and generous dealing.
Ships Our Natural Bulwarks.
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, If the
relative efficiency of craft OF differ
ent kinds and uses continues to
change as We have seen it change
under over 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. We shall not alter our
attitude toward it because some
amongst us are nervous and excited.
We shall easily and sensibly agree
upon policy of defense. The ques-
tion has not changed it's aspects be-
cause the times are not normal. Our
policy viii not be for an occasion.
1t will be conceived as permanent
and settled thing, which we will pur-
sue at all seasons, without haste and