Middletown transcript., 1914-12-12

\ arise. And especially when hhlf the
world IS on IRE we shall be careful
to make our moral insurance against
the spread Of the conAagFGtion yery
definite and certain and adequate in
deed.
Let as remind ourselves, therefore, |
of the only thing we can do or win /
do. We must depend in every time
of national peril, in the future as In
the past, not upon standing army,
nor yet upon reserve army, but upon !
a citizenry trained and accustomed /
to arms. 1t will be right enough, right
American policy, based upon our ac
customed principles and practices, to
provide q system by which every |
citizen who will volunteer for
the training may be made familiar
with the use of modern arms, the rudi-
ntents Of drill and maneuver, and the
maintenance and sanitation Of camps.
r1e 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 poa
icy to make tEese 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 a 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 5ulwarks.
A powerful navy we have always {
regarded as our proper and natural s
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 s
future as in the past; and there will Y
be no thought of offense or of provo
cation in that Our ships are our b
natural bulwerks. When will the ex.
perts tell US just what kind we should
construct-and when will they be t
right for ten years together, If the
relative efficiency Of craft for differ q
ent kinds and uses continues to "
change as we have seen It change
under our very eyes in these last
few months?
But turn away from the subject. :,
1t is not new. There is no new need
to discuss it. We shall not alter our
attitude toward it because some 8
amongst US are nervous and excited Il
We shall easily and sensibly agree C
such policv of defense. The ques-
ton has not changed its aspects be-
cause the times are not normal. Our
policy will not be for an occasion. CT
It will be conceived as a permanent
and settled thing, which we will pur-
;ue at all seasons, without haste and
lfter a fashion perfectly consistent Ct
With the peace of the world, the abid- m
ng friendship of states, and the un-
lampered freedom of all with whom
We deal. Let there be no misconcep-
ion. The country has been misin. to-
ormed. We have not been negligent
# national defense. We are not IN. at
mindful Of the great responsibility an
esting upon US. We shall learn and
rofit by the lesson Of every expert 'Th
nee and every new circumstances: of
nd what is needed win be adequately
one.
Great Duties Of Peace.
close. as began, by reminding
on Of the great tasks and duties Of
eace which challenge our best pow
rs and invite us to build what will
now and at all times the
'ee-hearted zest and with all the fin
st gifts of constructive wisdom we .
ossess. To develop our life and our T.,
ssources; to supply our own people, ~
nd the people Ct the world as their
eed arises. from the abundant nlentv