The record. [volume] (St. Maries, Idaho) 1913-1918, 1914-12-15
Tuesday December is 1914
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

last tuesday must have been one |
OF the most imposing events of |
a long history of great national |
occurrences which have taken |
place within the great halls OF |
congress. It is imposing as
read by the ordinary reader. It
must have been additionally inn
posing as read by the president
himself in the august presence OF
the distinguished body who list
ened to it.
It's great central theme was
peace and the necessity for the
American people not to lose their
balance of mind in the world con-
fiagration that is now revasttat-
ing Europe and rejecting its bale
full effects upon civilization every
where.
1--WE face new tasks" he says,
have been facing them these six
months, must face them in the
months to cOme=fOllow them
without partisan feeling, like men
who have forgotten everything
but a common duty and the fact
that we are representative Of
great people whose thought is not
of us but of what America owes
to herself and to all mankind in
such circumstances as these up
on which we look amazed and
anxious"
OF Americas fortunate situa-
ton relative TO the great war, and
of the peace that hovers over her
people, the presidents utterances
will go down in the history OF
the world alongside the great ut
tcrances of our greatest presi-
dents, not alone for the senti-
ments they convey but because Of
the wonderful diction with which
they are uttered. Just read:
I'VE are at peace with all the
world. No on who speaks coun-
sci based on fact or drawn from
4 just and candid Interpretation
or 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 pow
er Of any other nation we are in
capable of. We are not jealous
Of rivalry in the fields of COM
merce or of any other peaceful
achievement. We mean to live
our own lives as we will, but we
mean also to let live. We are,
indeed a true friend to all the ma
tions of the world, because we
threaten none, covet possessions
of none, desire the over throw of
none. Our friendship can be ac-
cepted and is accepted without
reservation, because it is offered
in a spirit and for a purpose
which no one need ever question
or suspect. There lies our
greatness. We are champions
of peace and 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 thai
this character and reputation may
presently, in Gods providence
bring us an opportunity such as
has seldom been vouchsafed any
nation, the opportunity to coun-
sci and obtain peace in the WORLD
and reconciliation and a healing
settlement of many a matter tina
has cooled and interrupted tn,
friendship of nations. This i:
the time above all others wher
we should wish and resolve tt
keep our strength by self posses
sion, our influence by preserving
our ancient principles of action.
1t is not alone because of tn,
great patriotism that shines up.
permost throughout the message
that it should appeal, especial,
to us people of the west. 1t con
tains a promise for us create
than any conveyed by any presi
dent of recent years, if not great
er than that uttered by any presi
dent even in the past. Too oftel
our presidents, wrapped in tn
great problems of the east hav
forgotten the problems of tn
west.
The president reminds con
gress of the great problems
has already been called upon I
solve and he mentions other grea
problems still to be solved, som
OF which, he says, must necessir
lily wait when the congress shal
have more time to give to thei
confederation and he less wpari