Arizona republican., 1914-12-09

world, and that, speaking my own thoughts, shall, at least in part, speak theirs also, however faintly and
 inadequately upon this vital mat
 ter.
 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 to fear that
 from any quarter our independence
 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 in the
 fields of commerce or of any other
 peaceful achievement. We mean to live our own lives as we will; but we mean also to- let live. We are, indeed, a true friend to all the na- tions of the world, because we threaten none, covet the possessions of none, desire the overthrow of
 none. Our friendship can be accept ed and is accepted without reserva- tion, because it is offered in a spirit and for a purpose which no one need CNci 9ucotlOA UT suSptCt 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 of it, be- cause it is our dearest present 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 ob- tain peace in the world and recon ciliation and a healing settlement of | many a matter that has cooled and interrupted 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 influence by preserving our an- cient principles of action.
 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. a large standing army. If asked, are you ready to
 defend yourselves, we reply most as- suredly, to the utmost and yet we shall not turn America into mili- tary camp. We will not ask our young men to spend the best years of their lives making soldiers of themselves. There is another sort of
 energy in us. It will know how to
 declare itself and make itself effec- tive should occasion arise. And es- pecially when half the world is on fire we shall be careful to make our
 moral insurance against the spread of
 the conflagaration very definite and certain ana adequate indeed.
 Let us remind ourselves, therefor. of the only thing we can do or will do. We must depend in every time | of national peril, in the future as in 1 the past, not upon a standing army, nor yet upon a reserve army. but upon a citizenry trained and accus- | toned to arms. It will be right enough. right American policy, based upon our accustomed principles and practices, to provide system by
 which every citizen who VIII volun- 1 teer for the training may be made | familiar with the use of modern arms, ] the rudments of drill and maneuver.
 and the maintenance and sanitation of camps We should encourage such training and make it a means of dis
 cipline which our young men Will learn to value It is right that we should provide 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 develop
 ment they need. for mere heafhs 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. It is right too, that the na .
 j tional guard of the states should be
 developed and strengthened by every
 means which is not inconsistent with
 our obligations to our own people
 or with the established policy of our government. And this also, not De- cause the time or occasion specially l calls for such measures, but because { it should be our constant policy to make these provisions for our national peace and safety.
 More than this carries with it re- versal of the whole history and char acter of our policy. More than this proposed at this time, permit me tc say, would mean merely that we have lost our f-possession. that w' have been thrown off our balance II by war with which we have noth- ing to do, whose causes can no touch us, whose very existence af- lords us opportunities of friendship and disinterested service which should make us ashamed of any thought O hostility or fearful preparation fol { trouble. This is assuredly the oppor { tunity for which a people and gov ! ernment like ours was raised up, thu ! opportunity not only to speak bu ! actually to embody and exemplif. ! the counsels of peace and amity an { the lasting concord which is base' on justice and fair and generou { dealing.
 q A. powerful navy we nave alway { regarded as our proper and natura ! means of defense and it has alway ! been of defense that we have though