The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-08

the world is on tire We shall be care
ful TO make our moral insurance against
the spread of the coniragration very
definite and certain and adequate in
deed
In Time Of National Peril
Net us remind ourselves. there
fore, of the only thing we can do or
will 10. We must lie end in every time
Of national peril. in the future as in the
past. not upon 4 standing army, nor yet
upon reserve army, but upon a
eitizenry of trained and accustomed
TO arms 1t will be right enough. righ;
American policy, based upon our ae.
customed principles and practices. to
provide system by which every citizen
who will volunteer for the training may
De made familiar with the use of mod
eru arms, tine rudiments of drill and
maneuver. and the maintenance and
sanitation Of camps. We should en-
courage such training and make it a
means of discipline which our young
men will learn to value. Ii is right that
We should provide it not only, but that
We should maSe il as attractive as pos
stble, and 50 induce our young men 10
undergo it Al such times as they can
command a little freedom and can seek
the physical development they need, for
mere health 5 sake. if for nothing more.
Every means by which such things can
De stimulated is legitimate. and such
a method smackS of true American
ideas.
Should Develop National Guard
1T is right, too. that the National
Guard of the States should be de.
voioped and strengthened 5y every
means which is not IN onsis:ent with
our obligations to our own people or
with the established policy of our gov
ernment. And tnis. also. not because
the time or occasion specially calls for
such measures. hut because it should
he our constant policy to make these
provisions for our national peace and
safety.
More than this carries with it a
reversal of the whole history and char
acter Of our policy. More than this,
proposed at this time, permit me 20
say. would mean merely that we had
lost our self-posSession. that We had
been thrown off our balance bv 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 prepara-
tion for trouble. This is assuredlv the
opportunity for which a people and Il
government like ours were raised up,
the opportunity not only TO speak but
actually 70 embody and exemplify the
eounsels OF peace and amity and the
lasting concord which is based on JUS
tice and fair and generous dealing.
Depend on Powerful Navy
" 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.
But who shall tell us now what sort
of navy to bHildl We shall take leave
to be strong upon the seas, in the
future as in the past; and there will be
no thought of offense or of provoca1ion
In that. Our ships are our 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
II change under our very eyes in these
last few monthsf
No Further Need for Discussion
But ! turn away from the sub
ject- 1t is not new. There is no need
to discuss it We shall not alter our
aEtl1nde toward it because some