The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1914-12-10
# concord And we should be very

jealous of this distinction which we
have sought to earn. Just now we
should be particularly jealous of it,
because it is our dearest present hope
that this character and reputation
may presently, in Gods providence
bring US an opportunity to counsel
and obtain peace in the world ana
reconciliation and healing settle
ment of many matter that has cooled
and interrupted the friendship OF
nations. This is the time above all
others that 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, a large standing army.
If asked, are you ready to defeno
yourselves? We reply. most assured
ly, to the utmost; and yet we shaii
not turn America into a military
camp. We must depend in every time
Of national peril, in the future as III
the past, not upon standing army
nor vet upon reserve army, but upon
a citizenry trained and accustomed
to arms. It will be right enough, righe
American policy, based upon our &C
customed principles and practices 70
provide system by which every
citizen who will volunteer 1or
the training may be made familiar
with the use of mr dern arms, the ruol-
ments of drill and maneuver, and the
maintenance and sanitation OF camps,
We should encourage such training
and make it a means of dIsclpllne
which our ;oung men will learn to
value The National Guard OF the
states should be developed and
strengthened by every means whcn Is
not inconsistent with our obligations
to our own people or with the estab-
lished policy of our government. And
this, also, not because the time or or
casion specially calls for such meas
ures, but because it should be orr
constant policy to make these provs'
sions for our national peace and safe
ty.
More than this carries with 1t re-
yersal of the whole history and char'
acter of our polity. More than this
proposed at this time, permit me 20
say, would mean merely that we iad
lost our self-possession, that we hao
been thrown off our balance by wa
with which we have nothing to d.
whose causes cannot touch US. wnost
very existence affords US opportur'
tiles of friendship and disinterestea
service which should make S
ashamed of any thought of hostility
or fearful preparation for trouble.
This is assuredly the opportunity :or
which :. people and government axe
ours weres raised the opports ulty
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 BuIwaeks.
A powerful navy We have alwass
regarded as our proper and natusal
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 o1r
natural bulwarks. When will tho e1-
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.
cnt kinds and uses continues to
change as we have seen it change
under our very eyes in these last
few months?
But l turn away from the subject
It is not new. There is no new need
to discuss it. Let there be no miscon.
ception. 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 will 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 powers
and invite US to build what will last.
the tasks to which we can address
ourselves now and at all times the
free-hearted zest and with all the finest
gifts of constructive wisdom we pos.
sess- To develop our life and our re.
sources; to supply our own people, and
the people of 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 products Of
our mines, our farms, and our fac
tories, with the creations of our
thought and the fruits of our charac-
ter-this is what will hold our atten.
ton and our enthusia: a steadily, now
and in the years to come, as we strive
to show in our life as nation what
liberty and the inspirations of an
emancipated spirit may do for men
and for societies, for individuals, for