The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-12-08


 of peace.
 Allow noe to speak with great plain meas and directness upon this great matter and to avow my convictions with deep earnestness. 1 have tried b know what America is, what her people think what they are, what they most cherish and hold dear. i hope that some Of their finer passions are in my own heart--some of the great con captions and desires which gave birth to this government and which have mades 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. I shall. al least in part, speak theirs also, how ever faintly and tnadequateIy. upon this vital matter
 We are at peace with an the world No one who speaks counsel based on fact or drawn from a just and candid Interpretation of realities can say that there is reason to fear that from any quarter ouF independence or the integ- rify of our territory is threatened Dread Of the power of any other na- ton we are incapable of We are not jealous Of rivalry in the fields of conn meree or Of any other peaceful achieve ment We mean to live our own lives as we will. but we mean also to let live. We are. indeed. true friend to all the nations of the world. because we threaten none, covet the posses sions of none. desire the overthrow of none
 Our friendship can be accepted and is accepted without reservation. be cause 1t is offered in a spirit and for a 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 t, because it is our dearest present hope that this character and reputation may presently, in Gods providence. bring us an opportunity such as has seldom been vouchsafed any nation. the opportunity to counsel and obtain peace In the world and reconciliation and healing settlement of many a matter that has cooled and interrupt. ed the friendship of nations. This is the lime above all others when we should wish and resolve to Keep our strength by self possession. our infiu- ence by preserving our ancient prinei- pies of action
 From the first we have had clear and settled policy with regard to mill tary establishments We never have had. and while we retain our present principles and ideals we never shall have. largo standing army If asked, Are you ready to defend yourselves3 we: reply Most assuredly; to the ut- most And yet we shall not turn America Into military camp We wM not ask our young men to spend the best years of their lives making soldiers Of themselves There Is an- ether sort of energy in us It will know how to declare itself and make itself efFeetIve should occasion arise And especially when half the world is on fire we ,shals be careful to make our moral insnrance against the spread of the couaagration very definite and cer tain and adequate indeed
 Let us femind ourselves. therefore. of the only thing we can do or will do We must depend in every tine of na- tfenal peril in the future as in the past. not upon standing army nor yet upon reserve army out upon cit1s eenfy trained and accustomed to arms. tt win be right enough, right American policy. Based upon our accustomed pr1nc1pses and pract1ces, u provide . system by which every ctt1zen who Will volunteer for the training may be nade familiar with the use of modern arms. Ehe rndinents Of drill and ma- neuver and the maintenance ana san1- kafdon of camps We should encourage uuch sraining and make it meann of dlscipIine which our young men will learn 10 value
 It ts right that we sheuld provide 1t 9ot only. but that we sbonld make it Rs aftractivk as possible and so indnce pe1 y0nnH men to undergo It at such hmss as they can command q nttle freedom and can seek the physical de vesopment they need. for mere health's g sake. if for nothing more. Every means by which such things can be stimulated Is legitimate. and such q method snaeks of true American ideas. 1t is right too. that the natiOnat guard of the states should be developed and strengthened by every means which Is not Inconsistent with our obligations to our own people or with the estab- tished policy of our government. and this also not because the time or occa- sion 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 1t a re- yersal of the whole history and char acter Of eur 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 of our balance by war with which we have nothing to do, i whose causes cannot touch us. whose very existence affords ns opportunities of friendship and disinterested service which ahould make us ashamed of any thought of hostility or fearful prepara- tidn for trouble This is assurediy the I opportunity for which people and . government ike ours were raised up, 4ba f,Y,xas,rfy1y1ff-v mt only to speak. t1u1