The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-11-10
A Task worthy Of Theodore
Rooscyclt's Energetic Genius.

A Task worthy Of Theodore
Rooscyclt's Energetic Genius.
II there ever was man of peace
and n statesman of peace II was SAM
rEL J. TILUTN. No other American
who has exercised a distinct influence
upon political thought and the coun-
try's policy WAS less Of lingo than
Mr.. TIIpEN. The mind Of that Demo-
cratic leader concerned itself habitually
with questions of political economy, OF
finance, of taxation. Of production and
waste. OF civil administration. and
rarely with the military aspects of ma
tional life. except. indeed, to describe the
calamity of n system of excessive cxpcn-
diture for war purposes or to deplore
the lasting sears which war leaves in
the shape of It's pension lists. Yet 1t Is
a singular fact. perhaps forgotten by
many to-day. that the most stirring APP
peal to arms In the whole period Of
our history, the most effective call for
lavish expenditure in preparation for
war. came from this peaceful econo-
mist, this statesman of peace.
We are sure that the readers OF THE
Sun will not blame us for reprntlng
ut considerable length the essential
part of the remarkable letter which
Mr.. TILDFN. In his seventy-second year,
nine years after his retirement from
active politics and scarcely eight
months before his death. addressed on
December |, lSSJ to Speaker CARLISLE
urging the paramount necessity Of pro.
vision for adequate seacoast defence
against foreign invasion. Mr.. T1LpEN
declared that in his opinion such prep
aratlon for defensive war should pre-
cede the reduction Of the burdens OF
Federal taxation and even precede an
excessive rapidity In the payment OF
the public debt. He said:
''The property exposed to destruction in
the twelve seaports. Portland, Ports
mouth, Boston. Newport. New York. Phiia-
delphla Baltimore. Charleston. Savannah,
New Orleans. Galveston and San Fran
cisco. cannot he less in value than Ave
thousand millions OF dollars To this must
he added vast amount OF property de-
pendent for its use on these seapor,s.
Nor does this statement afford a true
measure OF the damage whi-h might be
caused to the property and business OF
tho country by failure TO protect these
seapor,s from hostile naval attack. They
are the centres not only OF foreign COM
merce but OF most OF the internal trade
~
ITO this state OF things the machinery
OF transportation OF the whole country
has become adapted. The interruption OF
the currents OF traffic by the occupation
of ono or more OF our principal seaports
by a foreign enemy. or the destruction OF
them by bombardment, or the holding over
them tho menace OF destruction for the
purpose OF exacting contributions or ran
som. would infilct upon the property and
business of the country an injury which
can neither be foreseen nor measured, The
elaborate and costly Notifications. which
were constructed with the greatest ensi-
neering skill. are now practically useless.
They are not capable OF resisting the at
tacks of modern artillery"
AhVltupou MI ilLDtN. lHt nun VI
peace. the statesman and economist,
proceeded to anticipate by fifteen or
twenty years the PRONUNCIATION of Colo
mel RoosEvELT's doctrine OF the Rig
Stick In the peace loving hand
THE best guarantee against aggres.
sion. the best assurance that our d.
ploinscy will be successful and pacific.
and that our rights and honor will be
respected by other nations, Is in their
knowledge that We are in a situation 10
vindcate our reputation and interests.
While We may afford to be deficient in the
means OF offence we cannot afford to be
dcfencclcss. The notoriety OF the fact
that We have neglected the ordinary pre-
cautions Of defence invites want OF con-
s.derauon in our diplomacy, injustice,
arrogance and insult at the hands OF
foreign nations.
81 is now more than sixty years since
we announced To the world that we should
resist any attempts, from whatever quar-
ter they might come, TO make any new
Combinations on any part OF the Ameri-
can continent; that while We should re-
spect the status quo we should protect the
people OF the different nations inhabtlng
this continent from every attempt to sub
ject them to the dominion OF any Euro
pcan Power or to interfere with their un-
disturbed exercise OF the rights OF self.
government This announcement was
formally made by President MONROE
after consultation with Mr., MADISON and
Mr. JEFFERSON. II was formulated by
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. Our Government
has firmly adhered to the Monroe Doc
trine, and even SO late AZ 1865 it warned
NAPOLEON III, out of Mexico,
at Is impossible TO foresee, in the re.
cent scramble Of the European Powers for
acquisition OF colonies, how soon an oc
casion may arise for our putting In
practice the Monroe Doctrine. 1t 10 clear
that there ought to DO some relation be.