Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1914-12-09
President Wilson Announces
halt on Business Legislation
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practices, to provide a system by
winch every citizen who will VOluI-
teer for the training may be made
familiar with the Isl 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 dis
clpnne which our young men will
learn to value. 1t is right that we
should provlue it not only, but that
we should make it as attractive as
possible, and so induce our young men
70 undergo it at such times as they
can command a 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 car be stimulated
is legitimate, and such a method
smacks Of true American ideas.
As to National Guard.
1t is right, too, That the National
Guard Of the states should be devel.
oped and strengthened by every
means which is not inconsistent with
our obligations to u own people or
with the established policy of our
government. And this, also, not be.
cause the time or occasion specially
calls for such measures but because
it should be our constant policy to
make these provisions for our nation
al peace and safety.
More than this carries with it a
reversal of the whole history ald
character of our polity. More than
this, proposed at this time, permit me
to say, would mean merely that we
had lost our self-possesion, that we
lad been thrown or our balance BY.
a~war with which we have nothing to
do, whose causes cannot touch us,
whose very existence affords us 0p.
portunities CT friendship and disiater-
ested service which should make us
ashamed of any thought of hostility
y" fearful p~reuaratiOn for trouble.
This is a%ssuredly the opportunity for
which a people and a government like
ours were raised up, the oppcrtunit'
not only to speak, but actually to
embody and exemplify the %counsels Of
peace AID amity and the lasting con-
cord which is based on justice and
fair and generous dealing. q
"a powerful navy we have always
regarded as our proper and natural
can 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 provo
cation in that. Our ships are our nat
ural bulwarks. When will the experts
tell us just what kind we should con-
strickland when will they be right
for ten years together, ii the relative
efficiency, Of onaft of different kinds
and uses. continues to change as We
have seen it change under our very
eyes in these last few months?
Some Nervous.
"But turn away from the subject.
1t is net new. There is no new need
to discuss it. We shall not alter cur
attitude toward it because some
amongst US are nervous and excited.
We shall easily and sensioly agree up
On q policy of defense. The cues.
ton has not changed its aspects De
cause the times are not normal. Our
policy will not be for an occasion.
1t will be conceived as a permanent
and settled thing, which we will pur.
sue at all seasons, without haste and
after a fashion perfectly consistent
with the peace of the world, the abid-
ing friendship of states, and the un.
hampered freedom of all with whom
we deal. Let there be no ~misconcep-
ton. The country has been misin-
formed. We have not been Negligent
OF national defense. We are not IN.
LnlnuIll or me great responsibility
resting upon us. We shall learn ana
profit by the lesson OF every expert
ence and every new circumstance;
and what is needed will be adequately
DONE"
40 peace in Europe the president
referred briefly. I'VE are the cham
pons OF peace and CT concord" he
said. And we should be very jeal
Gus Of this distinction which W. have
sought to earn. Just now we should
ue particularly jealous OF it 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 OPP
%pOrtunity to counsel and obtain peace
in the world and reconciliation and d
healing settlement OF many a matter
that has cooled and interrupted the
friendship Of nations. This is the time
above all others when we should wish
and resolve to keep our strength by
selfpossession, our influence by pre-
serving our ancient principles of nc.
ton