Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1914-12-10

being applied with good business
sense and management.
The sort of economy We eunht to
practice may be effected. and ought 10
be effected. by careful study ana
assessment of the tasks To he per-
formed and the money spent ought
70 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 APP
propriations as to make II perfectly
evident what Ii was spent FOR and Iii
what way II was spent.
II is not expenditure but egsraya.
gance that we should fear being eriti.
ciged for; not paying for the iegiti.
mate enterprises and undertakings I'll
o great government whose people
command what ii should do, bnt add
Ing what will benefit only d few or
pouring money out lor what need not
have been undertaken al all or might
hare been postponed or better and
more economically conceived and car.
ried ont The nation IL not nlggaFdly;
IL is very generous. It viii chide as
only IL We forget for whom We pay
money out and whose money II Is we
pay.
These are large ard general stand.
ards, but they are NOT 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.
II IL the subject 81 national defense,
II cannot be discussed without frat
answering some very searching Ques-
lions.
Il Is said III some quarters that We
are not prepared FOR war. What III
meant By being prepared III IL meant
that we are not ready upon brief no.
tice 70 put q nation in the field. a ria,
ton Of men trained to arms7 or
course we are not ready to do that:
and We shall never be In time or
peace SO long az We retain our pres
ent political principles and InstItu
tons And what Is II that It is sug.
gested we should be prepared To dor
To defend ourselves against attack3
We have always found means to do
that. and shall find Them whenever ii
Ii necessary without calling our 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 10 avow my convictions
with deep earnegtnegs | have tried
to know what America Is. what her
people think. what they are, what
they most cherish. and hold dear. |
hope that some of their finer passiona
are In my own heart. some or the
great conceptions and desires which
gave birth to this government and
which have made the voice Of this
people voice III peace and hope and
liberty among the peoples of the
world. and that. speaking my own
thoughts | shall, al least iii part
speak theirs also. however. family aud
inadequately, upon this vital matter
Fear No Nation.
We arc az peace with ali the world
No one who speaks counsel based
on fact or drawn from Just and
candid interpretation or realities
can say that there Ii reason for fear
that from any quarter our indapen.
dence or the integrity Of our territory
is threatened Dread OF the power
OF any other nation We are incapable
OF, We are not jealous Of rivalry in
the fields of commerce or Of any other
peaceful achievement. We mean ID
live our lives as we VIII; but We mean
also 10 let 1--we. We are, Indeed. a
true friend to all the nations OF the
world, because We threaten none
cOyet the possessions OF none. desire
the overthrow OF none Our friend
ship can be accepted and liz accepted
without reservation, because II II of.
fered I'M q spirit and for purpose
which ne one need ever question o.
suspect. Therein Hes 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 It is our dearest present hope
that this character and reputation
may presently, To Gods providence.
bring us an opportunity to counsel
and obtain peace In the world and
reconciliation and a healing settle
ment of man matter that has cooled
and interrupted the friendship OF
nations This is the time above all
others when We should wis., and re-
solve to keep our strength by self.pos.
session, our influence by preserving
our ancient principles Of action.
Ready for Defense.
From the FIRST We have had a clear
and settled policy with regard TO
military establishments We never
have had, and while we retain our
present principles and ideals we never
shall hare. large standing army
II asked. are you ready to defend
yourseires2 We reply. most assured
~. 70 the utmost: and vet we shall
not turn America into q military