Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-12-08

question q suspect. ThsreiA M 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, because 1t Is our dearest present
hone 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 healing settlement OF many q
matter that has cooled and interrupt
ed the friendship of nations. This 10
the time above all others when We
should wish and resolve to keep our
strength by self possession, our infiu-
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. a 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 conflagration 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 in every time Of ma
tionai peril. in the future as in the
past. not upon standing army nor yet
upon a reserve army. but upon a citi-
zenry trained aud accus.c-, to arms.
II WIN De right enough, ri.nl American
policy, based upon our accustomed
principles and practices, to provide
system by which every citizen who
will volunteer for the training may be
made familiar with the use OF modern
arms the rudiments Of drill and ma
neuver and the maintenance and SAM
tation Of camps. We should encourage
such training and make 1t means of
discipline which our young men Will
learn to value.
1t is right that we should provide 1t
not only, but that we should make it
rs attractive as possible, and so induce
our young men to undergo 1t at such
times as they can command little
freedom and can seek the physical de-
relopment they need, for mere health's
sake, IL for nothing more. Every
means by which such things can be
stimulated Is legitimate. and such
method smacks OF true American ideas.
1t Is right. too, that the national guard
OF the states should be developed and
by every means which is
not inconsistent with our obligations
10 our own people or vita the estab-
Ilshed policy Of cur government, and
this also not because the time or Occa-
Zion specially calls for such measures.
but because 1t should be our constant
policy to make these provisions Tor our
national peace and safety.
More than this carries with 1t a ~
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 bad
been thrown Off our balance by war
with which we have nothing to do.
whose causes cannot touch us. whose
very existence affords US opportunities
OF friendship and disinterested service
which should make US ashamed OF any
thought Of hostility or fearful prepara-