The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1914-12-11

Nohic' VI 'ouISN, t.b iUtNlldDle IN
crease OF expense.
The sort Of economy we ought TO
practice may be effected, and ought to
be effected. by Il careful study and
formed; and the money spent ought
to be made to yield the best possible
returns in efficiency and achievement.
And, like good stewards, we should
so account for every dollar of our APP
preparations as to make it perfectly
evident what 1t was spent for and in
what way it was spent.
II Is not expenditure but extrava-
Sance that we should fear Jeing criti.
cized for; not paying for the legiti-
mate enterprises and undertakings OF
great government whose people
command what It should do, but add.
ing what will benefit only Il few or
pouring money out for what need not
have been undertaken at all or might
have been postponed or better and
more economically conceived and car.
ried out. The nation Is not niEgardly;
1t Is very generous. II will chide MS
only II We forget for whom we pay
money out and whose money 1t is We
pay.
These are large and general stand
ards, but they are not very difficult of
application to particular cases.
The National Defense.
The other topic shall take leave to
mention goes deeper into the princi-
pies Of our national life and policy.
1t is the subject Of national defense.
Ii cannot be discussed without first
answering some very searching ques.
lions.
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 nation In the field, a ns.
ton OF men trained to arms? OF
course we are not ready to do that;
and We shall never be in time of
peace so long as VIC retain our pres.
cnt political principles. and institu.
lions. And what is II that 1t Is sug.
gcstcd we should be prepared to do?
To defend ourselves against attack
We have always found means to do
that, and shall find them whenever it
is necessary without calling our PEG.
pie away from their necessary tasks
to render compulsory military service
in times of peace
Allow me to speak with great plain.
ness and directncss upon this great
matter and to ayow my convictions
with deep earncstncss. have tried
TO know what America is, what her
people think, what they are, what
they most cherish. and hold dear. |
hope that some OF their finer passions
are I'm my own heart. some Of the
great conceptions 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 Speaking my own
thoughts. | shall at least in part.
speak theirs also. however. family and
inadequately, upon this vital matter.
Fear No Nation.
We are at peace with all the world.
No one who speaks counsel based
on fact or drawn from just and
candid Interpretation Of realities
can say that there is reason for fear
that from any quarter our indcpen.
dencc or the integrity Of our territory
is threatened Dread OF the power
Of any other nation we are Incapable
Of We are not Jealous Of rivalry In
the fields of commerce or OF any other
peaceful achievement. We mean 10
live our lives as We VIII. but We mean
also to let live We are. indeed,
true friend to all the nations Of the
world. because we threaten none
coyet tn" possessions OF none, desire
the overthrow Of none Our friend.
ship can be accepted and 10 accepted
without reservation. because it is Of
fcred in spirit AID TOR purpose
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
jealous of this distinction which We
have sought to earn Just now we
should be particularly jealous of It.
because 1t 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 and
reconciliation and healing settle
ment Of many matter that has cooled
and interrupted the friendship OF
nations. This is the time above all
others when 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
establishments. We never
have had, and while we retain or
present principles and ideals we never
shall have, a large standing army.
II asked, are you ready to defend |
We renly most nsgurod