The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1914-12-12

the training may be made familiar
with the use of modern arms, the rudi-
ments of drill and maneuver. and the
| maintenance and sanitation of camps.
We 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
mere health's sake, IL 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 pol
icy to make these provisions for our
national peace and safety.
More than this carries with 1t a 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 war
with which we 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.
This is assuredly the opportunity for
which a people and a government like
ours were raised up, the opportunity
not only to speak but actually to en-
body and exemplify the counsels o,
peace and amity and the lasting con-
cord which is based on justice and fair
and generous dealing.
Ships Our Natural BuIwarks.
A powerful navy We have always
regarded as our proper and natural
means of defense; and 1t 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
future as in the past; and there will
be no thought of offense or of provo
cation in that. Our ships are our
natural bulwarks. When will the ex-
perts tell us just what kind we should
construct-and when will they be
right for ten years together. II the
relative efficiency of craft of differ
ent kinds and uses continues to
change as we have seen 1t change
under over very eyes in these last
few months?
But / turn away from the subject.
It Is not new. There is no new need
to discuss it. We shall not alter our
attitude toward it because some
amongst us are nervous and excited.
We shall easily and sensibly agree
upon a policy 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.
1t will be conceived as a permanent !
and settled thing, which we will pur-
sue at all seasons, without haste and |
after a fashion, perfectly consistent
with the peace OF the world, the abid-
ing friendship of states, and the I'M
we deal. Let there be no misconcep-
ton. The country has been misin-
formed. We have not been negligent |
of national defense. We are not I'M
mindful of the great responsibility |
resting upon us. We shall learn and
profit by the lesson Of every exper-
fence and every new circumstance;
and what is needed will be adequately
done.
Great Duties Of Pesee,
close, as l began, by reminding |
you OF the great tasks and duties of
peace which challenge our best powers |
and invite us to build what will last, |
the tasks to which we can address
ourselves now and at all times the |
free-hearted zest and with all the fin. |
est gifts of constructive wisdom we
possess. To develop our life and our
resources; to supply our own people. |
and the people of the world as their
need arises, from the abundant plenty |
of our fields and our marts of trade:
to enrich the commerce of our own
states and of the world with the prod |
ucts of our mines, our farms. and our |
factories, with the creations of our |
thought and the fruits of our charac-
ter-this is what will hold our atten. |
ton and our enthusiasm steadily, now
and in the years to come, as We strive |
to show in our life as a nation what |
liberty and the inspirations Of an
emancipated spirit may do for men
and for societies, for individuals. for
ctafoc and for mankind