Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1914-12-17


such tones as they can command lit
L tie 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 method smacks Of true American
ideas. It is right, too. that the Nation
! al Guard Of the States should be de-
veloped and strengthened by every
means which is not Inconsistent with
our obligations to our own people or
with the established policy of our Gov
eminent. And this. also, not because
the time or occasion 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 it I re-
versal Of the whole history and char
acter of our policy. More than this,
proposed at this time, permit me 10
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 can not touch lis, WHOSE
very existence affords us opportuni-
ties Of friendship and disinterested
service which should make us ashamed
Of any thought Of hostility or fearful
preparation for trouble. This is a.
suredly the opportunity for which :
people and government like ours
were raised up, the opportunity not
only to speak but actually to embody
and exemplify the counsels Of peace
and amity and the lasting concord
which is based on justice and fair and
generous dealing.
A powerful navy we have always re-
garded as our proper and natural
means of defence; and 1t has always
been Of defence that we have thought,
never Of aggression or Of conquest:
but who shall tell us now Whist sort Of
navy to build We shall take leave
to be strong upon the seas, in the fut-
lure as in the past; and there will be
no thought of offence or Of provocation
in that Our ships are our natural
bulwarks. When will the experts tell
us just what kind we should construct
land when will they be right for ten
years together, if the relative effici-
ency 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?
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
upon 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. II
will be conceived as a permanent and
settled thing, which we will pursue at
all seasons, without haste and after q
fashion perfectly consistent with the
peace Of the world, the abiding
friendship Of states, and the unham-
pered freedom Of all with whom we
deal. Let there be no misconception.
The country has been misinformed.
We have not been negligent Of nation
al defense We are not unmindful of
the great responsibility resting upon
us. We shall learn and profit by the
lesson of every new circumstance; and
what is needed will be adequately
done
! 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 adj
dress ourselves now and at all times
with free-hearted zest and with all
the finest gifts Of constructive wis
dom 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 abun-
dant plenty of our fields and our
marts of trade; to enrich the COM
merce of our own States and Of the
world with the product of our mines,
our farms and our factories, with the
creations of our thought and the
fruits of our character, this is what
will hold our attention and our en-
thusiasm steadily, now and in the
years to come, as we strive to show
in our life as nation what liberty
and the inspirations Of an emanci-
pated spirit may do for men and for
societies, for individuals, for states,
and for mankind