The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1914-12-16

nor yet upon reserve army, but up
on citizenry trained and accustomed
to arms. It will be right enough,
right American policy, based upon
our accustomed principles and prac-
tees, to provide a system by which
every citizen who will volunteer for
the training may be made familiar
with the use of modern arms, the
rudiments Of drill and mauoeuVe7,
and the maintenance and sanitation
Of camps. We should encourage such
training and make it a means Of dis
cipline which our young men will
learn to value. It is right that we
should provide 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 seek the physical development
they need, for mere health's sake, If
for nothing more. Every means by
which such things can be stimulated
is legimate, and such a method
smacks of true American ideas. It is
right, too, that the National Guard of
the States should be developed and
strengthened by every means which Is
not inconsistent with our obligations
to our own people or with che estab-.
lished policy Of our government. And
this, not because the time Or occa-
sion specially calls for such measures,
but because it should be our constant
policy to make these provisions for
our national peace and safety.
More than this carries with 1t re-
versal Of the whole history and char
acter of our policy. More than this,
proposed at this time, permit me to
say, would mean merely that We had
lost our self-possesion, that we had
been thrown of our balance by war
with which we have nothing to DO,
whose causes can not touch US, whose
very existence affords US opportuni-
ties Of friendship and disinterested
service which should make US asham-
ed Of any thought Of hostility or fear
full preparation for trouble. This is
assuredly the opportunity for which
people and government like ours
were raised up, the opportunity not
culy to speak but actually to embody
and exemplify the counsels Of peace
and anity and the lasting concord
which Is based on justice and fair
and generous dealing.
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.
Bnt 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 ofSense or Of
provoeation in that. Our ships are
our natural bnlwarks. When will t y
experts tell as what kind We should
construct-and when will they be
right for ten years together, If the
relative efficiency of craft Of different
kinds and uses continues to change
| as We have seen it change under our
very eyes in these last few months ?
Not Negligent.
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
asettled thing, which we will pursue
at all seasons, without haste and az
| ter fashion perfectly consistent with
the peace Of the world, the abiding
friendship Of states, and the unharn-
pered freedom Of all with whom we
deal. Let there be no misconception.
The county has been misinScrmed.
We have not been negligent OF ma
tional defense. We are not unrnind-
full Of the great responsibility resting
upon US. We shall learn and profit
by the lesson Of every experience and
| every new circumstance; and what is
needed viii, be adequately done.
close, as I 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 ad-
dress ourselves now and at all times
with freehearted zest and with all the
finest gifts os constructive wisdom
we possess. To develop our life and
our resources: to supply our own peo-
| pie, 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 products of our mines, our farms,
and our factories, with the creations
o four thought and the fruits OF our
characteristic is what win hold our
attention and our enthusiasm stead
| lily, now and in the years to come, as
we strive to show in our life as ma
ton what liberty and the inspirations
Of an emancipated spirit may do for
men and for societies, for individuals,