Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1914-12-18

the money is being spent for objects
of which they approve, and that it is
being applied with good business
sense and management.
The sort of economy we ought to
practice may be effected, and ought to
be effected, by a careful study and
assessment of the tasks to be per-
formed;i 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 ap-
preparations as to make it perfectly
evident what it was spent for aud in
what way it was spent.
1t is not expenditure but extrava-
gance that we should fear being criti-
cized for; not paying for the iegiti-
mate enterprises and undertakings of
great government whose people
command what 1t should do, but add
ing what will benefit OILY a few or
pouring money out tor 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 niggardly;
it is very generous 1t will chlde US
only IL 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 Natural 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.
1t cannot be discussed without first
| tions.
| 1t is said in some quarters that we
| are not prepared for war What is
meant by being prepared? 1t is meant
that we are not ready upon brief no.
tice to put a nation il the field. ma
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 we retain our pres
ent political principles and institu-
| tions. And what is it that 1t Is sug-
| gested 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 peo-
| pie away from their necessary tasks
| to render compulsory military service
in times of peace
ness and directness upon this great
matter and to avpw my convictions
with deep earnestness | have tried
to know what America is. what her
| people think, what they are, what
| they most cherish, and hold dear,
| are in 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 voice of peace and hope and
liberty among the peoples of the
world, and that, speaking my owr
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 baseS
on fact or drawn from a just ant
candid Interpretation of realities
! can say that there is reason for feal
that from any quarter our indepen
dence or the integrity of our territor,
is threatened. Dread of the powe
of any other nation we are incapabl,
of. We are not Jealous of rivalry il
the fields of commerce or of any othe
peaceful achievement. We mean tt
live our lives as we will; but we meal
also to let live. We are, indeed,
true friend to all the nations of tn,
world, because we threaten none
covet the possessions of none, desir,
the overthrow of none. Our friend
ship can be accepted and Is accepte,
without reservation. because it is OF
fered in spirit and for a purpos,
which no one need ever question o
suspect. Therein lies our greatness
We are the champions of peace AM
of concord. And we should be yer,
i Jealous of this distinction which W,
have sought to earn. Just now W,
should be particularly jealous of IL
because it is our dearest present hop,
that this character and reputation
may presently. in Gods providence
bring us an opportunity to counse
and obtain peace in the world an,
reconciliation and a healing settle
ment of man matter that has coole,
and interrupted the friendship O
nations This is the time above al
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 clea
and settled policy with regard t,
military establishments. We neve
have had, and while we retain on
present principles and ideals we neve
shall have, large standing army
If asked, are you ready to defen,
yourselves? We reply, most assured
ly, to the utmost; and yet we shal
not turn America into a militar.
camp We will not ask our youni
men to spend the best years of thei
lives making soldiers of themselves
There is another sort of energy in us
1t will know how to declare itself AM