Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1914-12-17
PRESIDENT OPPOSED TO
BIG STANDING ARMY.
Speaks Plainly and Directly on Cues
ton of National Defenses.

Speaks Plainly and Directly on Cues.
ton of National Defenses.
The other topic l shall take leave
TO mention goes deeper into the prin
ciples Of our national life and policy.
1t Is the subject of national defense.
1t 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? Is 1t meant
that we are not ready upon brief no.
tee to put a nation In the field. a ma
ton Of men trained to arms? or
course we are not ready to do that
and we shall never be In time OF peace
30 long as We retain our present polit
ical principles and institutions. And
what Is II that II Is suggested we
should be prepared to do-to defend
ourselves against attack? We have al
ways found means to do that and
shall flnd them whenever IT Is neces
sary without calling our people 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 avow my convictions
with deep earnestness. 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 con
cepti0ns and desires which gave birth
to this government and which have
2ade the voice Of this people a voice
- 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, how
ever family and inadeQuately. upon
this vital matter
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 II reason to fear that from any
quarter our Independents or the integ-
nty Of our territory II threatened
Dread OF the power Of any other ma
don We arc incapable of. We are not
Jealous Of rivalry In the nelds OF CON-
merce o. Of any other peaceful achieve
ment We mean 10 live our own lives
AZ we will. but we mean also 10 let
Iva We are. indeed. a true friend to
all the nations Of the world. because
we threaten none, covet the posses
sions Of none. desire the overthrow Of
none.
Our friendship can be accepted and
Is accepted without reservation. be.
cause It Is offered In a spirit and for
purpose which no one need ever
question or suspect. Therein lies our
greatness We are the champions OF
peace and OF concord And we should
be very Jealous Of this distinction
which we have sought to earn. Just
now we should be particularly Jealous
hope that this character and reputation
may presently. In Gods providence.
bring US an opportunity such as has
seldom been vouchsafed any nation.
the opportunity TO counsel and obtain
peace in the world and reconciliation
and a healing settlement Of many a
matter that has cooled and interrupt
ed the friendship Of nations. This is
the time above all others when we
should wish and resolve to keep our
strength by self possession. our inf1u.
ence by preserving our ancient princi-
pies OF action.
From the first we have had a clear
and settled policy with regard to mill
tary establishments. We never have
had. and while we retain our present
principles and ideals we never shall
have. large standing army. II asked.
Are you ready TO defend yourselves?
we reply. Most assuredly; to the ut
most. And yet We shall not turn
America into military camp. We
will not ask our young men TO spend
the best years OF their lives making
soldiers of themselves There Is an
other sort OF energy in US. 1t will
know how to declare itself and make
itself effective should occasion arise.
And especially when half the world Is
on fire we shall be careful TO make our
moral insurance against the spread OF
the confiagration very definite and GER
tain and adequate indeed.
Let us remind ourselves. therefore.
OF the only thing we can do or will do.
We must depend I'm every time OF ma
tional peril. I'm the future as I'm the
past. not upon Il standing army nor yet
n "A 0ft.
zenry trained and accustomed to arms.
1t will be right enough. right American
policy. based upon our accustomed
principles and practices. to provide
system by which every citizen VINO
will volunteer for the training may he
made familiar with the use OF Isodern
arms. the rudInents OF drill ana ma-