The Elk Mountain pilot., 1914-12-17


should be 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 to counseI
and obtain peace in the world ana
reconciliation and healing settle
ment of many matter that has cooled
and interrupted the friendship OF
nations. This is the time above air
others that 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 clear
and settled policy with regard TO
military establishments. We never
have had. and while we retain our
present principles and ideals we never
shall have, large standing army.
If asked. are you ready to deiehu
yourselves? We reply. most assured
ly, to the utmost; and yet we shaii
not turn America into military
camp. We must depend in every time
of national peril, in the future as III
the past, not upon a standing army.
I nor yet upon reserve army, but upon
| citizenry trained and accustomed
| to arms. 1t will be right enough, rishe
American policy, based upon our ao
customed principles and practices 10
provide system by which every
| citizen who will volunteer for
the training may be made familiar
with the use of m dern arms the ruul-
| l-;n
maintenance and sanitation of camps.
We should encourage such training
| and make it means of discipline
which our young men will learn 10
value. The National Guard OF the
states should be developed ana
| strengthened by every means which Is
not inconsistent with our obligations
| to our own people or with the estab-
lished policy of our government. Ana
this, also nct because the time or oc-
casion specially calls for such meas
ures, but because it should be our
constant policy to make these provi-
sions for our national peace and safe
| ty.
More than this carries with 1t re-
| yersal of the whole history and char
acter of our polity. More than thls'
proposed at this time, permit me TO
say, would mean merely that we mad
| lost our self-possession. that we had
| been thrown off our balance by war
| with which we have nothing to do.
| whose causes cannot touch us. whose
| very existence affords us opportun-
| tiles of friendship and disinterested
| service which should make IS
ashamed of any thought of hostility
or fearful preparation for trouble.
| This is assuredly the opportunity for
which : people and a government like
ours were raised up, the opportunity
not only to speak but actually to en-
body and exemplify the counsels OF
peace and amity and the lasting con.
cord which is based on justice and fair
and generous dealing.
| Ships Our Natural suIwarks.
A powerful navy we have always
| regarded as cur proper and natural
means of defense: and 1t 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
natural bulwarks. When will the ex-
perts tell Us just what kind we should
construct-and when will they be
right for ten years together. If the
relative efficiency OF craft of differ
ont kinds and uses continues to
change as we have seen it change
under our very eyes in these last
few months?
But / turn away from the subject.
1t is not new. There is no new need
to discuss it. Let there be no miscon.
ception. The country has been misin.
formed. We have not been negligent
of national defense. We are not un
mindful Of the great responsibility
resting upon us. We shall learn and
profit by the lesson of every expert.
ence and every new circumstances;
and what is needed will be adequately
| done.
Great Duties Of Peace.
l close, as | began, by reminding
you of the great tasks and duties Of
| peace which challenge our best powers
and invite us to build what will last.
| the tasks to which we can address
ourselves now and at all times the
free-hearted zest and with all the finest
gifts of constructive wisdom we pos.
sess. To develop our life and our re-
sources; to supply our own people. and
the people of the world as their need
arises. from the abundant plenty of
our fields and our marts of trade; to
enrich the commerce of our own states
and of the world with the products of
our mines, our farms, and our fac
tnries with the creations of our