The Forrest City times., 1914-12-11

make itself effective should occasion arise. And especially when half the world is on fire we shall be careful to make our moral insurance against the spread of the conhagration very definite and certain and adequate in' deed
 Let us remind ourselves, therefore, of the only thing we can do or Will do. We must depend in every time of national peril, in the future as ln the past, not upon a standing army, nor yet upon reserve army, but upon citizenry trained and accustomed to arms. It will be right enough, right American policy, based upon our ac- customed principles and practices, 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 rudl- ments of drill and maneuver, and the maintenance and sanitation of camps. We should encourage such training and make it a means of discipline which our young men will learn 10 value. It is right that we should pro vide it not only, but that we should make it as attractive as possible, and so induce our young men to undergo 1t at such times as they can command little freedom and can seek the physical development they need. for more health's sake, if for nothing more. Every means by which such things can be stimulated is legitimate, and such a method smacks of true American ideas. It is a right. too, that the National Guard of the states should be developed and strengthened by every means which is not incon- sistent with our obligations to our own people or with the established policy of our government And this, also, not because the time or occasion specially calls for such measures, but because it should be our constant pol icy to make tEese provisions for our national peace and safety.
 More than this carries with it re- versal of the whole history and char acter of our polity. 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 he have nothing to do, whose causes cannot touch us, whose very existence affords us opportun ities of friendship and disinterested service which should make US ashamed of any thought of hostility or fearful preparation for trouble
 Ships Our Natural 6ulwarks.
 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. But 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 offeuse or of provo cation in that Our ships are our natural bulwerks. When will the ex- perts tell us just what kind We should construct-and when will they be right for ten years together, if the relative efficiency of craft for differ ent kinds and uses continues to change as we have seen it change under our verv eyes in these last few months?
 But I 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 such policy of defense, The ques- tion has not changed it's aspects be- cause the times are not normal. Our policy will not be for an occasion. It will be conceived as a permanent and settled thing, which we will pur- sue at all seasons, without haste and after a fashion perfectly consistent with the peace of the world the abid- ing friendship of states, and the un- hampered freedom of all with whom We deal. Let there be no misconcep- tion. The country has been misin- formed We have not been negligent of national defense. We are not un- mindful ol the great responsibility resting upon us. We shall learn and profit by the lesson of every experi- ence and every new circumstances; and what is needed will be adequately l done.
 Great Duties of Peace.
 close, as I began, by reminding you of the great tasks and duties of l peace which challenge our best pow CTS and invite us to build what will last, the tasks to which we can address ourselves now and at all times the free-hearted zest and with all the fin est gifts of constructive wisdom we l possess. To develop our life and our resources; to supply our own people, l and the neonle cf the world as thnir