The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-12-09

thought of offense or of provoeafion In
that. Our ships are our natural bull
warl<s. When will the experts .ell us
just what kind we should construct
and when will they be right Tor 10
years together, il the relative effici-
ency of craft of different kinds and
uses continues to change as We have
seen IL change under our very eyes i'm
these last few months?
But l turn away from the subject
1t is not new. There is no new need
to discuss it. We shall not alter our
attitude toward il because some
amongst Us are nervous and excited
We shall easily and sensibly agree
upon policy of defense The question
mas not changed its aspects because
the times are not normal. Our policy
VIII not oe for an occasion. It will
| De conceived as a permanent and set
tied thing, which we will pursue at all
| seasons. without haste and after a
fashion perfectly consistent with the
peace of the world, the abiding friend
ship of states, and the unhampered
freedom of all with whom we deal. Lei
! there be no misconception. The coun-
try has been miSinformed. We have MOI
been negligent of national defense We
are not unmindful of the great re-
sponsibility resting upon us. We shall
learn and profit by the lesson of ev-
cry experience and every new eircum-
stance, and what is needed will be
adequately done
To peace in Europe the President re.
ferred briefly. 1--WE are the champion.
of peace and of concord, no said. ~Ano
We should be very jealous of this dis
tinction which we have sought TO earn
Just now we should be particularly
. jealous of it because II is our dearest
present hope that this character anc
reputation may presently, in Gods
providence, bring us an opportunity
such as has seldom been vouchsafed
any nation, the opportunity to counsel
and oh tain peace in the world and rec
onciliation and a healing settlement Of
many a matter that has cooled and in
terrupted tho friendship of nations
This is the time above all others wher
We should wish and resolve to keep oui
strength by self-possession, our in
fiuence by preserving our ancient prin.
ciples of action.
In addition the President said
The session upon which you are now
entering will be the closing session of tn,
Sixty-third Congress, a Congress, I ven
ture to say, which will long be remem
bered for the great body of thoughtful
and constructive work which it has done
in loyal response to the thought and needs
of the country. l should like in this ad
dress to review the notable record and
Try TO 1lake adequate assessment o. Ii
but no doubt we stand too near the worl
that has been done and are ourselves toe
much part of it to play the part Of his
torians toward it.
Moreover, our thoughts are now NOR,
of the future than of the past. While
we have worked at our tasks of peace the
circumstances of the whole age have beer
altered by war. What we have done fol
our own land and our own people we die
with the best that was in us, whether OF
character or of intelligence, with sober
enthusiasm and a confidence in the prin
ciples upon which we were acting which
sustained us at every step of the difficul
undertaking, but 1t is done. 1t has PASSED
from our hands. 1t Is now an established
part of the legislation of the country. 1t,
usefulness, its effects will disclose them
selves in experience. What chiefly strike!
us now, as we look about us during thes,
closing days of a year which will pc for
ever memorable in the history of tn
world. Is that we face new tasks, hav
been facing them these six months, mus
! face them in the months to come fac
them without partisan feeling, like mel
| who have forgotten everything but com
mon duty and the fact that we are repre-
sentatives of a great people whose though
| is not of us but of what America owe
! to herself and to all mankind in such cir
cumstances as these upon which We lool
amazed and anxious.