The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1914-12-11

Jealous Of rivalry IN the neidS or con:
merce or of any other peaceful achieve
ment We mean to live our own llve>
as we will. but we mean also to lel
live. We are indeed. a true friend t'
all the nations Of the world. because
we threaten none. covet the posses
sious Of none, desire the overthrow OF
none.
Our friendship can be accepted and
is accepted without reservation. he
cause it is offered in spirit and fol
a purpose which no one need eve:
question or suspect Therein lies ouI
greatness We are the champions OF
peace and of concord And we should
be very jealous Of this distinction
which we have sought to earn. just
now we should be particularly jealous
of 1t, because 1t Is our dearest present
hope that this character and reputation
may presently, In Gods providence,
bring US an opportunity such as has
seldom been vouchsafed any nation
the opportunity to counsel and obtain
peace in the world and reconciliation
and q healing settlement Of many q
matter that has cooled and interrupt,
Ell the friendship of nations. This Is
the time above all others when we
should wish and resolve to Keep our
strength by self possession. our inbu
ence by preserving our ancient prlncl'
pies Of action.
From the first We have had clear
and settled policy with regard to mill
tarv establishments. We never have
had. and while we retain our present
PRINCIPLES and ideals we never shall
have, large standing army Ii asked.
Are you ready TO defend yourselves:
we reply. Most assuredly; 20 the ut,
most. And yet We shall not turn
America into military camp. We
will not ask orr young men tU spend
the best years of their lives making
soldiers of themselves. There Is an
other 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
mora Insurance against the spread Of
the confagration very definite and Ger
tain and adequate indeed.
Let us remind ourselves, therefore.
of the only thing we can do or will do
We must depend in every time OF ma
tional peril. in the future as in the
past. not upon standing army nor yet
upon reserve army. but upon citi-
zenry trained and accustomed to arms.
It will be right enough. right American
policy. based upon our accustomed
principles and practices. to provide
system by which every citizen who
will volunteer for the training may be
made familiar with the pse OF rnodern
arms, the rudiments Of drill AND ina
neuver and the maintenance and SAM
tation 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 provide II
not only, but that we should make It
as attractive as possible. and 80 induce
our young men to undergo 1t at such
times as they car command little
freedom and can seek the physical de-
velopment they need. for mere health's
sake, II 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 inconsistent with our obligations
to our own people or with the estab-
lished policy Of our government. ana
this also not because the time or occa-
sion specially calls for such measures.
but because it should be OUT colSt2 Mt
policy to make these provisions for our
national peace and safety.
More than this carries with 1t 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 opportunities
of friendship and disinterested service
which should make MS ashamed of any
thought of hostility or fearful prepara