The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1914-12-19


sense and management
The sort 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 ap-
as to make it perfectly
evident what it was spent for and in
what way it was spent.
It is not expenditure but extTava-
gance that we should fear being criti-
cized for; not paying for the legiti-
mate enterprises and undertakings Of
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
have 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 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 we are not ready upon brief no
tice to put a nation IL the field. a ma
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 we retain our pres
ent political principles and institu-
tions. And what is it that it is sug-
gested 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
pie away from their necessary tasks
to render compulsory military service
in times of peace.
Allow me to speak with great plain
ness and directness upon this great
matter and to aYow my convictions
with deep earnestness l have tried
to know what America is, what her
people think, what they are, what
they most cherish, and hold dear. /
hope that some of their finer passions
are in my own heart, some of the
great conceptions and desires which
gave birth to this government and
which have made the voice of this
people a voice of peace and hope and
liberty among the peoples of the
world and that, speaking my own
| thoughts, l shall, at least IN part
! speak theirs also. however, family and
| inadequately, upon this vital matter
Fear No Nation.
We are at peace with all the world
No one who speaks counsel based
| on fact or drawn from a just and
| candid Interpretation of realities
can say that there is reason for feal
| that from any quarter our indepen
dence or the integrity of our territory
is threatened. Dread of the power
of any other nation we are incapable
| Of We are not jealous of rivalry il
the fields of commerce or of any othe1
| peaceful achievement. We mean t
live our lives as we will; but we mea1
| also to let live. We are, indeed,
| ~.
| world, because we threaten none
covet the possessions of none, desir
the overthrow of none. Our friend
ship can be accepted and is acceptet
without reservation. because it IS OF
| fered in q spirit and for a purpos
which no one need ever question o
suspect. Therein lies our greatness
We are the champions of peace an
of concord. And we should be yer
jealous of this distinction which "
have sought to earn. Just now "
should be particularly jealous of II
because it is our dearest present hop
that this character and reputatio
may presently. in Gods providence
bring us an opportunity to counse
and obtain peace in the world an
| RECOMMENDATION anu meaning SSltlS
ment of man matter that has coole
and interrupted the friendship G
nations. This is the time above a
others when we should wish and tt
solve to keep our strength by self-po!
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 t
military establishments. We neve
have had, and while we retain GU
present principles and ideals we neve
shall have. a large standing arm!
If asked. are you ready to defen
yourselves? We reply. most assured
Iy. TO the utmost; and yet We sha
not turn America into a militar
camp. We will not ask our youn
men to spend the best years of thei
lives making soldiers of themselvei
There is another sort of energy in u
1t will know how to declare itself an
~~-~~~~~O~~-~-o~-~~~~
large shallow tank is construct :
which has wings of galvanized iro'