The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 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 / 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 bn discussed W. out 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 it meant
that We are not ready upon brief no.
t1ce to put a nation in the field, a ma
don of men trained to arms? OF
course we are not ready to do that,
and we shall lever be in time of peace
so long as We retain u present polit-
ical principles and institutions. And
what Is 1t that 1t Is suggested we
should be prepared to do-to defend
ourselves against attack? We have al
ways found means to do that and
shall find them whenever 1t 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 avo my convictions
with deep earnestness. l have tried
to know what America is, what her
people think, what they are, what they
most cherish and hold dear. l hope
that some Of their finer passions are In
my own heart-some Of the great con
ceptions and desires which gave birth
to this government and which have
made the voice of this people a voice
OF peace and hope and liberty among
the peoples of the world, and that.
speaking my W 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 n 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 integ-
rity Of our territory is threatened.
Dread Of the power Of any other ma
ton we are incapable of. We are not
Jealous of rivalry in the fields of COM
merce or of any other peaceful achieve
ment. We mean to live our own lives
live. 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
non
Our friendship can be accepted and
is accepted without reservation, be-
cause 1t is offered in a spirit and for
a 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
of 1t, because 1T 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 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 influ-
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 yourselves7
we reply. Most assuredly; to the Ut
most. And yet we shall not turn
America into a military camp. We
viii not ask u 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 u
moral insurance against the spread Of
the connagration very definite and GER
tain and adequate indeed
Let rs remind ourselves. therefore,
Of the only thing we a do or will do.
We must depend in every time Of ma
tional peril. In the future as in the
past. not upon a standing army nor yet
upon q reserve army. but upon a cit-
ssnEy trained and accustomed to arms.