St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1914-12-09
PRESIDENT OPPOSED TO
BIG STANDING ARMY.
Speaks Plainly and Directly on Cues
ton of National pefenses.

Speaks Plainly and Directly on Cues
ton of National Defenses.
The other topic | shall take leave
to mention goes deeper into the prin-
cipIes of our national life and policy.
1t is the subject of national defense.
1t cannot be discussed without first
answering some very searching Ques-
tons. 1t is said in some quarters that
we are not prepared for war What is
meant by being prepared? Is it meant
that we are not ready upon brief no
tice to put a nation in the field. a ma
ton of men trained to arms? OF
course we are not ready to do that.
and we shall never be in time of peace
so long as we retain our present pOlit-
zeal principles and institutions. And
what is it that it is suggested we
should be prepared to dO-to defend
ourselves against attack? We have al
ways found means to do that and
shall find them whenever it is neces
sary without calling our people 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 to avow my convictions
with deep earnestness. | 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 passions are in
my own heart-some of the great con
ceptiOns and desires which gave birth
to this government and which have
made the voice of this people voice
of peace and hope and liberty among
the peoples of the world. and that
speaking my own thoughts. | shall. at
least in part. speak theirs also, how.
ever family and inadequately, upon
this vital matter
We are at peace with all the world
No one who speaks counsel based OH
fact or drawn from a just and candid
Interpretation of realities can say that
there is reason to fear that from any
quarter our independence or the integ
rity Of our territory is threatened
Dread of the power of any other ma
ton we are incapable Of We are not
jealous of rivalry in the fields of com
merce or of any other peaceful achieve
ment We mean to live our own lives
as we will. but we mean also to let
live. We are. indeed. a true friend to
all the nations of tie world. because
we threaten none. covet the posses
siOns of none. desire the overthrow of
none.
Our friendship can be accepted and
is accepted without reservation. be.
cause it is offered in a spirit and for
a purpose which no one need ever
question or suspect. Therein lies 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. in Gods providence. |
bring us an opportunity such as has |
seldom been vOuchsafed any nation. |
the opportunity to counsel and obtain |
peace in the world and reconciliation |
and a healing settlement of many |
matter that has cooled and interrupt |
ed the friendship of nations. This is
tile time above all others when we
should wish and resolve to keep our
by self possession. our innu
ence by preserving our ancient princi |
pies of action
From the first We have had a clear |
and settled policy with regard to mill
tary establishments. We never have
had. and while we retain our present
principles and ideals we never shall |
have. a large standing army If asked.
Are you ready to defend yourselves:
we reply Most assuredly: to the ut
most. And yet We shall not turn
America into military camp. We
will not ask our young men to spend
the best years of their lives making
soldiers of themselves There is an
1ther sort of energy in us 1t will
know how to declare itself and make
Itself effective should occasion arise
And especially when half the world is
IN fire we shall be careful TO make our
moral insurance against the spread of
he conflagration very definite and Ger
ain and adequate indeed.
Let us remind ourselves, therefore.
# the only thing we can do or will do
We must DEPEND in every time of ma
ionaI peril. In the future AZ In the
Dast. not upon standing army nor vet
Ipon a reserve army. but upon a citi-
enry trained and accustomed to arms.