The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1914-12-10

make itself effective should occasl. 4
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 aad certain and adequate in
deed.
Let us remind ourselves, therefore.
of the only thing we can do or will
do. We must depend in every time
of national peril, in the future as in
the past, not upon a standing army,
nor yet upon a 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 system by which every
citizen who will volunteer for
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 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
a 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 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 tlese 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 war
with which he have nothing to do,
| whose causes cannot touch US, whose
very existence affords us opportun-
tiles of friendship and disnterested
service which should make us
ashamed of any thought of hostility
or fearful preparation for trouble.
Ships Our Natural BuIwarks.
A powerful navy we have always
regarded as our proper and natural
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
| 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, if the
relative efficiency of craft for differ
ent kinds and uses continues to
change as we have seen it change
under our yer" 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
amongst us are nervous and excited.
We shall easily and sensibly agree
such 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
hampered freedom Of all with whom
| we deal. Let there be no misconcep.
ton. The country has been misin.
| loTlIleu we nave not DeeH 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 expert
ence and every new circumstances;
and what Is needed will be adequately
| done.
| Great Duties Of Peace.
| | close, as began. by reminding
| you of the great tasks and duties Of
peace which challenge our best pow
ers 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