Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-12-09

clare. itself and make itself effective
should occasion arise. And especially
when half the world is on fire we shall
be careful to make our moral insur-
ance against the spread of the conf1a-
grafton very definite and certain and
adequate indeed.
Let us remind ourselves, therefore,
of the only thing we can do or will do.
We must depend in every time of ma
tional peril, in the future as in the
past, not upon a standing army, nor
yet upon a reserve army. but upon a
citizenry trained and accustomed to
arms. 1t will be right enough, right
American policy, based upon our ac-
customed principles and practices. to
provide a system by which every citi-
zen who will volunteer for the train
ing may be made familiar with ne use
of modern arms. the rudiments OF drill
and maneuver. and the maintenance
and sanitation of camps. We should
encourage such training and make it a
means of discipline which our young
men will learn to value. 1t is right that
we should provide it not only. but that
we should make it as attractive as
possible, and so induce our young men
to undergo it at such times as they can
command little freedom and can seek
the physical development they need.
for mere health's sake. If for nothing
more. Every means by which such
things can be stimulated is legitimate,
and such a method smacks of true
American ideas. 1t is right, too, that
the National Guard of the States
should be developed and strengthened
by every means which is not incon-
sistent with our obligations to our own
people or with the established policy
of our Government. And this, also. not
because the time or occasion specially
calls for such measures, but because it
should be our constant policy to make
these provisions for our national peace
and safety.
More than this carries with it re-
versal of the whole history and char
acter of our polity. More than this.
proposed at this time. permit me to
say, would mean merely that we had
lost our self possession, that we had
been thrown off our balance by a war
with which we have nothing to do,
whose causes can not touch us, whose
very existence affords is opportuni-
ties of friendship and disinterested
service which should make US ashamed
of any thought of hostility or fearful
preparation for trouble This is assur-
eddy the opportunity for which a peo-
pie and a government like ours were
raised up, the opportunity not only to
speak but actually to embody and ex-
emplify the counsels of peace and ami
ty and the lasting concord which is
based ON justice and fair and generous
dealing.
A powerful navy we have always re-
garded as our proper and natural
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 nrovocation
in that. Our ships are our natural
bulwarks. When will the experts tell
us just what kind we should construct
and when will they be right for ten
years together, if the relative efficien-
cy of craft of different kinds and uses
continues to change as we have seen it
change under our very eyes in these
last few months?
But turn away from the subject. 1t
is not new. There is no new need to
discuss it, We shall not alter our at
titude toward it because some amongst
us are nervous and excited. We shall
,asily and sensibly agree upon a poll
cy OF defense. The question has not
changed it's aspects because the timex
are not normal. Our policy will not be