The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1914-12-09

that 1t is suggested we should be pre-
pared to do? To defend ourselves
against attack? We have always found
means to do that, and shall find them
whenever it is necessary without call
ing our people away from their neces-
sary tasks to render compulsory emil
ltaIy service in times of peace.
From the first We have had a clear
and settled policy with regard to mill
tary establishment. We never have
had, and while we retain our present
principles and ideals We never shall
have, a large standing army. If asked:
Are you ready to defend yourselvesE'
We reply: Most assuredly, to the ut
most and yet We shall not turn Amer
lea into 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. It 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 in
surance against the spread of the coz
hagration very definite and certain
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
national peril, in the future as In the
past, not upon a standing army. nor
yet upon reserve army, but upon a
citizenry of trained and accustomed
to arms Tt viii be right enough, right
American policy, based upon our ac-
customed principles and practices, to
provide a system by which every citi-
zen who will volunteer for the train
INC ho Far h.
use of modern arms. the rudiments of
drill and maneuver, and the main
tenance and sanitation of camps. We
should encourage such training and
make it q means of discipline which |
our young men will learn to value. It |
is right that we should provide it not |
only, but that we should make It as |
attractive as possible, and SO induce |
our young men to undergo It at such |
times as they can command g. little |
freedom and can seek the physical de- |
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.
TT is right, too, that the national /
guard Of the states should be de- I
veloped and strengthened by every
JlGduS WL4Gn Is not inconsistent ii
our obligations to our own people or
with the established policy of our gov
eminent. And this, also, not because
he time or occasion specially calls
for such measures, but because it
should be our constant policy to make
.hese provisions for our national peace
md safety
More than this carries with it
reversal of the whole history and |
character of our policy. More than
his, proposed at this time, permit me
% say, would mean merely that we
lad lost our self possession, that we
lad been thrown off our balance by a
var with which we have nothing to
10, whose causes cannot touch us,
whose very existence affords us OPP !
,ortunities of friendship and disinter-
'sted service which should make us
Lshamed OF any thought OF hostility
II fearful preparation for trouble.
This is assuredIy the opportunity for
Which people and a government
ike ours were raised up, the oppor-
unity not only to speak but actually
o embody and exemplify the counseIs
{ peace and amity and the lasting
oncord which Is based on justice and
air and generous dealing.
"a POWERFUL NAVY.
"A powerful navy we have always
egarded as our proper and natural
leans OF defense; and it has always
cen of defense that we have thought, |
ever OF aggression or Of conquest |
tut who shall tell US now what sort
f navy to build? We shall take leave
D be strong upon the seas, in the fu-
are as in the past; and there win be
O thought of offense or of provoca- :
on in that. Our ships are our natural
ulwarks. When will the experts tell
) just what kind we should construct
and when will they be right for ten
ears together, IL the relative eff
ency of craft OF different kinds and
5es continues to change as We have
zen it change under our very eyes in |
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