Carson City daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1907-1930, 1914-12-08
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

be duplicated and strengthened by
ent with our obligations to our w
people or with the established policy
of our government. And this also,
because of the time or occasion
specially calls for such measures, but
because it should be our constant
policy to make the provisions for our
national peace and safety.
More than this carries with it a 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 that we had lost our
self possession, that we had been
thrown off our balance by a war with
which We have nothing to do, whose
causes cannot touch us, whose very
existence affords us opportunities OF
friendship and disinterested service
which should make us ashamed of any
thought of hostility or fearful prepar-
alton for trouble. This is assuredly
the opportunity for which a people
and a government like ours were rals-
ed up, the opportunity not only to
speak but actually to embody and ex-
emplify the counsels of peace and
amity and the lasting concord which
is based on justice and fair and gem
erous dealing.
A powerful navy we have always re-
means of defense: and it has always
been of defense that we lave thought,
not of conquest.
But who shall tell us now what sort
of a navy to build? We shall take
leave to be strong Upon the seas n
the future as in the past and there
will be no thought of offense or ri
p~rovocation in that. Our ships are
cur natural bulwarks. When will the
experts tell us just 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.
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 a policy of defense. The ques-
ton has not changed its aspects De
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 pursue
at all seasons, without haste and af-
ter a fashion perfectly consistent with
the peace of the world. the abiding
friendship of states, and the unham-
pered freedom Of ali With whom we
deal. Let there be no misconception.
The country has been misinformed.
We have not been negligent Of ma
tional defense. We are not unmind-
ful of the great responsibility resting
upon us. We shall learn and profit
by the lesson of every experience and
every new circumstances; and what IS
needed will 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 free-hearted zest and with all
the finest gifts of constructive wis
dom we possess. To develop Il life
and our resources; to supply IL own !
people, and the people Of the world
as their need arises, from the abund-
ant plenty of our fields and our marts
OF trade; to enrich the Of
our own states and of the world with
the products of our mines, our farms
and our factories, with the creations
of our thoughts and the fruits of our
characteristic is what will hold our
and Our enthusiasm steadily,
now and in the years to come, as we
strive to show in our life as a nation
with the liberty and inspiration Of an
emancipated spirit may do for men
and for societies, for individuals. for
states and for mankind.