The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1914-12-11

SCA0C duu I.Idlld6CHICUl
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-
preparations as to make it perfectly
evident what it was spent for and in
what way it was spent.
1t is not expenditure but extrava-
gance that we should fear being criti-
cized for; not paying for the legiti-
mate enterprises and undertakings of
a 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 ear
ried out. The nation is not niggardly;
it is very generous. It 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.
1t cannot be discussed without first
answering some very searching ques-
tions.
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 lnstitu-
lions. And what is it that it is sug-
gested we should be prepared to do?
TO defend ourselves against attack?
We have always found NEAR to do
that, and shall find them whenever it
is necessary without calling Ii peo-
| 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 oarnestness have tried
TO know what America is. what her
people think, what they are, what
they most cherish, and hold dear, |
hope that some oil their finer passions
are in r2F own heart. some Of Tho
great conceptions anl desires which
gave Birth to tGis government and
which have made Tie voice Of this
people q voice cf peace and hope and
liberty among the peoples Ell The
worl3, and that. speaking my oWr
thoughts, | shall. II least u pert
sre3k lhairs also, however, family ane
in~adeQuatsly. upoa this vital matter
Fear to Nation.
We are at peace With all the world
Ia one Who speaks counsel bases
oil fact or drawn from i just anl
candid Interpretation of f~eaIitie.
can soy tAat tAere "a reason Cor fea.
that from cry quarter our indepsa
daaee on sha integrity of our territor,
IN threatened. Dread at tie poue
of any ot1ar natian we arc Incapable
of. We are not jealous of rivalry il
the felas 90 eom@3aree or OF any othe
peaceful achievement. We mean I
live cur lives as We will; but we meal
also to lot live. We are. indeed.
true friend 20 all the nations of tn
world, because we threaten mons
coyet tile possessions of none. desir
the overthrow of none. Our frienG
ship can Be accepted and is accepte,
Without reservation, because it IS q
fered in a 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 i
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
reconciliation and a healing settle
ment of man a matter that has coole
and interrupted the friendship c
nations. This is the time above a
others when we should wish and r.
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 W. retain or
present principles and ideals we neve
) shall have, a large standing arm,
| If asked. are you ready to defen
, yourselves? We reply, most assHret