Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1914-12-10

maks itself effective snozI cscasics
arise. And especially whsn half tie
world Is on Ore we shalI be czref1
70 make our moral insurance againa
the spread 0f the eonfasration very
definite and certain and adequate 1.
deed.
Let Us remind ourselves. therefore,
OF the only thing we can do or viii
do. We must depend In every tins
Of national peril. In the future AZ In
the past. not upon a standing army.
nor yet upon a reserve army. but upon
a cirzenry trained and accustomed
to arms. Il will be right enough. rfgat
American policy. based upon our a.
eustomed principles and practices. to
provide q system By which every
citizen Who will volunteer for
the training may BE- made familiar
with the use OF modern arms. the rudf-
ments OF drill and maneuver. and the
maintenance and sanitation Of camps.
We should encourage such training
and make Il a means OF discipline
which our young men will learn to
value. Il Is right that We should pro-
vide IL not only. but that We should
make II as attractive as possible. and
80 induce our young men TO undergo
Il at such times as they can command
little freedom and can seek the
physical development they need. for
more healfh's sake. II for nothing
more Every means By which such
things can be stimulated n legitimate.
and such . method smacks Of true
American ideas. Il is a right. too.
that the National Guard OF the states
should be developed and strengthened
BY every means which h not ineon-
sistent with our obligations 70 cur
own people or with the established
policy OF cur government. And thiS
also. not because the time or occasion
specially calls for such measures. but
because Il should be cur constant pol
icy to make tLese provisions for cur
national peace and safety.
More than this carries with IL a 70
versal Of tho whole history and char
acter Of cur polity. More than this.
proposed at this time. permit ne to
say. would mean merely that we had
Lost cur selfpossession. that ~e had
been thrown Oh our balance By q war
with which he have nothing TO do.
whose causes cannot touch us. whos-
very existence Affords us opportun-
tiles Of friendship and disinterested
service which should make u
ashamed OF any thought Of hostility
or fearful preparation for trouble
Ships Our Natural ssi~arsa
A powerful navy We have always
regarded as cur proper and natural
means Of defense. and II has always
been Of defense that We have thought.
never Of aggression or Of conquest
But Who shall tell rs now what sort
Of navy 20 bulidr We shall take leave
10 be stronx upon the seas. In tho
future as In the past. and there VII
Be no thought Of ofense or Of provo
cation In that Our ships are cur
natural hulwsrxa When viii the En-
psrss tell us tust what kind Ne should
construcf-anA when vii thsy b
| hight for ten pears together. Il In
| relative sfnciency Of craft for amer
sne hind. and uses cunxsnuss b
ehnnes - Ne have ss.n II chnnp
undR cur vsr- sxss N 49, -
sew monsns-
But Z cnrn away fron fhs sunss<
n - not new. There - no nav ne
10 discuss H. We shall not alter oa
affifude toward IL because SON
| amongst us are nervous and excited
We shall easily and sensfbIy agrss
such q policy Of defense. The ques
tion has not changed its aspects be
cause the times are not normal Our
policy will not be for an occasion.
IL viii be conceived as a permanent
and settled thing. which We will pur.
sue at all seasons. without haste and
after a fashion perfectly consistent
with the peaca OF the world. the abid-
ing friendship Of states. and the un-
hAmpered freedom Of all with whom
We deal Let there be no misconcep
ton The country has been misin-
formed We have not been negligent
OF national defense We are not un-
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 viii be adequately
done.
Great Duties Of Peace.
close. as I began. by reminding
you Of the great tasks and duties Of
peace which challenge our best pow
ers and invite US TO build what will
last. the tasks TO which We can address,
ourselves now and at all times the
rreehearted Eest and with all the IN
est gifts of constructive wisdom We
possess. To develop our life and cur
resources. to supply cur own people.
and the people CT 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 prod
ucss Of our mines. our farms. and our
factories. with the creations OF cur
thought and the fruits Of our eharae
ter-this Is wha. will hold our attsn'
ton and our enthusiasm steadily. nov
and in the years to come. as we strive
10 show ir cur life as nation what
liberty and the inspirations of an
emancipated spirit may do for men
and for societies. for individuals. fu'
| states. and for mankind.
Russian Woman Martyr.