New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-09
National Defence.

The other topic shall take leave TO
mention goes deeper into the principles
of our national life and policy. 1t is
the subject of national defence.
1t cannot be discussed without first
answering some very searching ques-
tons. 1t is said in some quarters that
we are not prepared for war. What is
meant by being prepared? Is it meant
that we are not ready upon brief no
tlce to put a nation in the field, q ma
ton of men trained to arms? Of
course, we are not ready 70 do that.
and we shall never be in time of peace
so long as we retain our present po-
litical principles and institutions. And
what is it that it is suggested we
should be prepared to do? To defend
| ourselves against attack? We have al
ways found means 10 do that, and shall
find them whenever it is necessary,
without calling our people away from
their necessary tasks 10 render COM
pulsory military service in times Of
! peace.
Allow me to speak with great plain
ness and directness upon this great
matter and TO avow my convictions
| with deep earnestness. | have tried to
know what America is. what her people
think, what they are, what they most
cherish ard hold dear. | hope that
some Of their finer passions are in my
own heart-some Of the great concep-
tons and desires 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, speak
/ ing my own thoughts, shall. at least
N ho,r
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 in
| tegrity Of our territory is threatened.
Dread of the power of any other ma
| tion we are incapable of. We are not
Jealous of rivalry in the fields of COM
merce or OF any other peaceful achieve
ment. 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 nations of the world, because
we threaten none, covet the possessions
OF none, desire to overthrow none. Our
friendship can be accepted and is ac-
\ cepted without reservation, because II
is offered in spirit and for a burmese
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 teal
Gus Of this distinction which we have
sought to earn. Just now we should
be particularly jealous of il, because il
is our dearest present hope that this
| character and reputation may present
| ly, in Gods providence, bring us an on
portunity such as has seldom been
vouchsafed any nation, the opportunitv
to counsel and obtain peace in the
world and reconciliation and a healing
settlement Of many a matter that has
cooled and interrupted the friendship
/ of nations. This is the time above ali
| others when we should wish and re-
! solve to keep our strength by self
| possession, our influence by preserving
our ancient principles of action.
Reliance on Volunteers.
From the first we have had a clear
and settled policy with regard 10 mill
tary establishments. We never have
lad. and while we retain our present
principles and ideals we never shall
have, a large standing army. Ii asked,
Are you ready to defend yourselves |?
we reply. Most sssuredly, to the ut
most; and yet we shall not turn Amer
lea into a military camp. We will not
ask our young men TO spend the best
years Of their lives making soldiers Of