The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1914-12-18


to make our moral insurance agains
, the spread of the confiagration yer.
, definite and certain and adequate in
Z deed.
Let us remind ourselves, therefore
of the only thing we can do or will
do. We must depend in every time
of national peril. in the future as II
the past, not upon standing army
nor yet upon a reserve army, but upon
citizenry trained and accustomed
to arms. 1t will be right enough, right
American policy, based upon our &C
customed principles and practices. to
provide a system by which every
citizen who will volunteer for
the training may be made familiar
with the use of modern arms, the rudi-
ments of drill and maneuver, and the
maintenance and sanitation of camps.
| We should encourage such training
and make 1t a means of discipline
which our young men will learn to
value. 1t is right that we should pro
| vide it not only. but that we should
make it as attractive as possible. and
so induce our young men to undergo
it at such times as they can command
little freedom and can seek the
| physical development they need, for
| more health's sake, If for nothing
more. Every means by which such
things can be stimulated is legitimate,
and such a method smacks of true
American ideas. 1t is a right. too,
that the National Guard of the states
should be developed and strengthened
by every means which is not incon-
sistent with our obligations to our
own people or with the established
policy of our government. And this,
also, not because the time or occasion
specially calls for such measures, but
because it should be our constant pol
icy to make tLese provisions for our
national peace and safety
More than this carries with 1t re-
versal of the whole history and char
acter of our 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 off our balance by war
with which he have nothing to do.
whose causes cannot touch US. whose
very existence affords US opportun- |
tiles of friendship and disinterested |
service which should make US /
ashamed of any thought of hostility |
or fearful preparation for trouble.
Ships Our Natural Bulwarks.
powerful navy we have always
regarded as our proper and natural
means 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
natural bulwGrks. When will the ex-
perts tell us just what kind we should
eonstruct-and when win they be
right for ten years together, if the
relative efficiency of craft for differ
ent kinds and uses continues to
|
under our verv eyes in these last
few months?
But l turn away from the subject,
It is not new. There is no new need
to discuss it. We shall not alter our
attitude toward it because some
amongst US are nervous and excited.
We shall easily and sensibly agree
such a policv of defense. The ques-
lion has not changed its aspects be-
cause the times are not normal. Our
policy will not be for an occasion.
It will be conceived as a permanent
md 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-
ng friendship of states, and the I'M
iampered freedom of all with whom
We deal Let there be no misconcep-
ion The country has been misin-
ormed We have not been negligent
If national defense We are not IN
mindful OF the great responsibility
esting upon us. We shall learn and
,rofit by the lesson of every expert
nee and every new circumstances;
md what is needed will be adequately
lone.
Great Duties of Peace.
| close. as | began, by reminding
'ou of the great tasks and duties of
,eace which challenge our best pow
RS and invite us to build what will
asst, the tasks to which we can address
ourselves now and at all times the
ree-hearted Zest and with all the fin
st gifts of constructive wisdom we
POSSESS. To develop our life and our
to supply our own people,
nd the people CT the world as their q
iced arises, from the abundant plenty
# our fields and our marts of trade;
o enrich the commerce of our own i
tates and of the world with the prod
cts of our mines, our farms. and our
actories, with the creations of cur n
bought and the fruits of our charac.
is wha, will hold our atten.
ion and our enthusiasm steadily, now .
nd in the years 10 come, as we strive
0 show in our life as. nation what
iberty and the Inspirations of an d
f,;E a. Z