The Washington herald., 1914-12-09


achievement. And. like good stewards.
we should so account for every dollar
Of our appropriations as to make IL per-
fectly evident what II was spent for and
in what way II was spent.
1t is not expenditure but eXtraYa-
gance that we should fear being criti-
| cised for; not paying for the legitimate
enterprises and undertakings Of great
government whose people command what
1t should do; but adding what viii ben
eft only few or pouring money out Tor
what need not have been undertaken al
all or might nave been postponed or
better and more economically conceived
and carried out. The nation Is not mig
gardly; u Is generous. It Will chide us
only II we forget for whom we pay
| money out and whose money II IL we
pay. These are large and general stand
ards, but they are not very dincult OF
application to particular cases.
Discussion of National Defense.
The other topic 1 shall take leave to
mention goes deeper into the principles
OF our national life and policy. II Is the
subject Of national defense.
1t cannot be discussed without nrst
answering some very searching ques-
tions. 1t is said in some quarters that
we are not prepared for war. What
Is meant ny DtlnB pIepdTcu. 10 ~ h'~e-
that We are not ready upon brief notice
to put a nation in the field, a nation of
men trained TO arms? or course We are
not ready to do that; and We shall never
be in time Of peace so long as we re-
tain our present political principles ana
institutions. And what is II that 1t Is
suggested we should be prepared to do?
To defend ourselves against attack? We
have always found means to do that ana
shall find them whenever il Is necessary
without calling our people away from
their necessary tasks to render compul-
sorry military service in time OF peace.
U. :. at Peace with World.
Allow me to speak with great plain
ness and directness upon this great mat
ter and to avow my convictions with
deep earnestness. l have tried to know
what America is, what her people think.
what they are, what they most cherish
and hold dear. l hope that some Of
their finer passions are in my own heart
some of the great conceptions and de-
sires which gave birth to this government
and which have made the voice Of this
people a voice OF peace and hope and
liberty among the peoples Of the world.
and that, speaking my own thoughts,
shall, at least in part, speak theirs also
however family and inadeQuately, upon
this vital matter.
We are at peace with all the world
No one who speaks counsel based on
fact or drawn from a just and candid
Interpretation Of realities can say that
there is reason to fear that from any
quarter our independence or the integrity
of our territory is threatened. Dread Of
the power OF any other nation we are
incapable OF. We are not jealous
Of rivalry in the fields of commerce or
of any other peaceful achievement We
mean 10 live our own lives as We will;
but We mean also to let live. We are,
indeed, a true friend to all the nations
of the world. because We threaten none,
Covet the poS-~Tsions OF none. desire the
overthrow of none. Our friendship can
be accepted and is accepted without res
ervation, because it is offered in a spirit
and for a purpose which no one need
ever question or suspect. Therein lies
our 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 IL, be-
cause It is our dearest present hope that
this character and reputation may pres
emily. in Gods providence. bring us an op-
portunity such as has seldom been vouch-
safed any nation. the opportunity to
NOnllStl anu ObNalil ptdGe III lnt NOTlu
and reconciliation and a 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 resolve to keep our
strength by seIf-pOssession. our influence
by preserving our ancient principles of
action.
From the first We have had a clear
and settled policy with regard TO miIitary
We never have had, and
while We retain our present principles
and ideals We never shall have, a large
army. II asked, Are you ready
to defend yourselves? We reply, Most
sssuredly, to the utmost: and yet we
shall not turn America into a military
camp. We will not ask our young men
to 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 II
self effective should occasion arise. And
when half the world Is on fire
We shall be careful to make our moral
insurance against the spread of the con-
Migration very definite and certain and
P dequate indeed.
Dependence Upon CItiEenry.
Let us remind ourselves. therefore, of
the only thing we can do or will do. We
must depend in every time Of national |