The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1914-12-11

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 appropriations as to
make 1t perfectly evident what 1t was spent
for and In what way It was spent
1t is not expenditure but extravaganza
that we should fear being criticised for;
not paying for the legitimate enterprises
whose people command what 1t should do,
but adding what will benefit only few
or pouring money out for what need not
have been undertaken at all or might have
been postponed or better and more econom-
ically conceived and carried out. The Ma
1t will chide us only If we forget for whom
we pay money out and whose money 1t IL
we pay. They are large and general stand
ards. but they are not very difficult Of ap-
plication to particular cases.
The other topic shall take leave to men,
tion goes deeper into the principles of our
national life and policy. 1t is the subject
of national defense.
1t cannot be discussed without first an
swering some searching questions. 1t Is
said in some quarters that We are not pre-
pared for war. What is meant by being
ready upon brief notice to put nation
in the field. nation Of men trained to
arms? OF course. we are not ready to dc
that: and we shall never be In time oil
peace SO long as we retain our pTeSeut po-
litical principles and institutions. And what
Is 1t that 1t is suggested we should be
prepared to do? To defend ourselves against
attack? We have always found means to
do that. and shall find them whenever II
is necessary, without calling our people
away from their necessary tasks to render
compulsory military service in times OF
peace. lmU
Allow me to speak with great plainness
and directness upon this great matter and
to ayow my convictions with deep earnest
ness / have tried to know what America
Isl what her people think. what they are
what they most cherish and hold dear.
hope that some of their finer passions are
in my own heart-some of the great con-
ceptions and desires which gave birth to
this Government and which have made the
voice of this people voice for peace and
hope and liberty among the peoples of the
world. and that speaking my own thoughts
l shall. at least In part. speak theirs also
however family and inadequately. upon this
vital matter.
We are at peace with all the world. Nc
one who speaks counsel based on fact OF
drawn from Just and candid interpreta-
tion of realities can say that there Is
reason to fear that from any quarter ouI
independence or the integrity CT our ter
ritory 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 to live our owr
lives as we will: but we mean also to lei
live, We are. indeed. true friend to al
the nations Of the world, because We
threaten none. covet the possessions Of none
desire the overthrow of none. Our friend
ship can be accented and is accepted with
out reservation. because 1t Is offered in {
spirit and for q purpose which no ont
need ever question or suspect. Therein lel
our greatness, We are the champions o.
peace and of concord. And we should b'
Jealous Of this distinction which we hav'
sought to earn. Just now we should b'
particularly Jealous Of 1t. because It Is ou
dearest present hope that this characte
and reputation may presently. in Gods prov
idence. bring us an opportunity such a
has seldom been vouchsafed any nation
the opportunity to counsel and obtain peac
in the world and reconciliation and heal
ing settlement of many matter that ha
cooled and interrupted the friendship o
nations. This Is the time above all other
when we should wish and resolve to keel
our strength by self-possession, our influ
ence by preserving our ancient principle
of action. ~
From the first we have had clear ant
settled policy with regard to military estab
lishments. We never have had, and Will
we retain our present principles and ideal
we never shall have. large standing army
II asked. are you ready to defend your
selves, de reply, most assuredly. to tn
utmost and yet we shall not turn Americ'
into q military camp. We will not ask GU
young men to spend the best years Of thei
lives making soldiers of themselves. Ther,
Ia another sort Of energy in US. 1t will
know how to declare itself and make 1t
self effective should occasion arise Ant
especially when half the world is on fir
we shall be careful to make our mora
insurance against the spread of the con
flagration very definite and certain ant
adequate indeed.
at ne IND therafnrn of FIJI
only thing we can do or will do We mus
depend in every time of national peril II
the future as III the past. not upon stand
ing army, not yet upon reserve army, bu
upon citizenry trained and accustomed t
arms. 1t will be right enough, right Amer
lean policy based upon our accustomed
principles and practices. to provide a sys
tenn by which every citizen who will vol
unteer for the training may be made ia
miliar with the use of modern arms, tn
rudiments of drill and maneuver and tn
maintenance and sanitation of camps. w
should encourage such training and max
1t a meaons of discipline which our youn
men will learn to value.
A powerful navy we have always re
garded as our proper and natural means o
defense; and 1t has always been a defens
that we have thought, never Of aggression
or of conquest But who shall tell US nov
what sort of navy to build? We shall tax
leave to be strong upon the seas, in tn
IutuTe hb Ill tut pdbtt aHu tHcio VIII w 't
thought of offense or of provocation in that
Our ships are our natural bulwarks. Whe
will the experts tell us Just what kind W
should construct-and when will they b
right for 10 years together II the relativ
efficiency of craft of different kinds an
uses continues to change as we have see
It change under our very eyes In these Las
few months?
But turn away from the subject. 1t
not new. There is no new need to discuss i
We shall not alter our attitude toward
because some amongst US are nervous an
excited. We shall easily and sensiby agre
upon a policy of defense. The question ha
not changed its aspects because the time
are not normal. Our policy will not be fo
an occasion. 1t will be conceived as a per
manent and settled thing, which we wi
pursue at all seasons, without haste an
after fashion perfectly consistent with tn
peace of the world, the abiding friendshi
of states and the unhampered freedom {
all with whom we deal Let there be n
misconception. The country has been mii
informed We have not been negligent {
National defense. We are not unmindful {
the great responsibility resting upon Ii
We shall learn and profit by the lesson {
every experience and every new circun
stance, and what is needed will be adt
| quately done.
| close, as I began, by reminding you {
| the great tasks and duties Of peace whic
challenge our best powers and invite us
build what will last, the tasks to which v
can address ourselves now and at all tint
with free hearted zest and with all the fine
gifts of constructive wisdom we possess. ]
develop our life and our resources. to supp
our own people. and the people of the wor
as their need arises from the abundai
plenty Of our fields and our marts Of trad
| tn enrich the commerce of our states ar
/ of the world with the products of our mine
| our farms and our factories. with the crei
tions OF our thought and the fruits Of ol
| characteristic is what will hold our attel
tion and our enthusiasm steadily. now az
In the years to come, as we strive TO sho
| the Inspirations of an emancipated spii
may do for men and for societies. for ind
viduals, for states and for mankind.
Ia ernn .L IT. ~.ax-& Jcx, A. ..Io-