The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1914-12-11

the money is being spent for objects
of which they approve, and that 1t is
being applied with good business
sense and management.
The ort 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; 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 APP
preparations as to make it perfectly
evident what it was spent for and in
what way it was spent.
1t is not expenditure but extraya-
gance that we should fear being criti-
cized for; not paying for the legiti-
mate enterprises and undertakings of
a great government whose people
command what it should do, but add
ing what*will benefit only a few or
pouring money out Tor what need not
nave 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 chide us
only if we forget for whom we pay
money out and whose money it is we
pay.
These are large and general stand
ards, but they are net very difficult OF
application to particular cases.
The Natural Defense.
The other topic l shall take leave to
mention goes deeper into the princi-
pies Of our national life and policy.
1t is the subject Of national defense.
It cannot be discussed without first
answering some very searching ques-
tons.
1t is said in some quarters that we
are not prepared for war. What is
meant BY being prepared? 1t is meant
that W are not ready upon brief no
tice to put a nation II the field, a NJ.
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 " G retain our pres
ent political principles and institu-
lions. And what is 1t that ]. is sug-
gestcd 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,
Allow me to speak With great plain.
ness and diroctness upon this great
matter and to ayow my convictions
With deep carnestness | have tried
to know what America is, what her
people think, what they are, what
they most cherish, and hold dear. !
hope that sone q their finer passions
are III Ey oNn heart, some Of the
great conceptions ana desires which
gave birth to this government and
which have made the voice of this
people q voTaa of peace ard hope and
liberty among me peoples CT The
World end taat. speaking ~ own
thoughts. shan, az least - part
src5k theirs also. However, faiotiy and
i|nalaQnataIE. Hpon this yisal matter
Fear ft7 Nation.
We ans 10 peace with al the world
80 ore who speaks counsel based
Q i fast al drawn from a just and
candid Interpretation Of fealfties
ean Fay that tlsEe ii reason for teal
taat from aug quarter orr fpdapeD
GcHea on Aa integrity 90 our territory
/ IS tbraato1#1 III. Dread DC tile power
af ans other nation We arc Incapable
of. We are not jealous Of rivalry il
tile fe1ds of commerce or of any othei
\ peaceful achievement. We mean Il
i live our lives as We will; but we u1eaI
also to lct live. We are. indeed (
true friend g all the nations Of tht
world, because VIC threaten none
the overthrow OF none. Our friend
ship can be accepted and is accepted
without reservation. because it Is of
fered in a spirit and for a purpose
which no ore need ever question o
suspect. Therein lies our greatness
We are tho champions of peace ant
OF concord. And we should be yer,
iiGNiGi9 ~ iAli1 tiotlli1li1Ii ~ ~
have sought to earn. Just now ",
should be particularly jealous of il
because it is our dearest present hop
that this character and reputation
!. may presently, in Gods providence
i, bring US an opportunity to counse
and obtain peace in the world an
reconciliation and q healing settle
ment of man a 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 preservin
our ancient principles of action.
Ready for Defense.
$ From the first we have had a clea
and settled policy with regard I
s military establishments. We neve
have had, and while we retain OIL