The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-12-09

itary Embellishments. We never have
had. and while Ne retain our present
principles and ideals we never shall
have, large standing army. X ask
Cd Are you ready 10 defend your
selves? We reply, Most assuredly, to
the utmost: and yet We shall not turn
America into military camp. We
viii not ask our young men to spend
the best years OF their lives making
soldiers Of themselves. There is an
other sort OF energy in us. 1t viii
know how to declare itself and make
itself effective should occasion arise.
Aid especially when half the world
! Is on FIRE We shall be careful to
make our moral insurance against
/ the spread of the confiagration very
definite and certain and adequate In
deed.
| Must Depend on Trained Citizcnry.
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 in
the past, not upon standing army.
nor yet upon reserve army. but
upon citizenry trained and accus-
toned 10 arms. 1t will be right
enough. right American policy, bas-
! ed upon our accustomed principles
and practices, to provide system
by which every citizen Who will vol
, familiar with the use of modern arms,
the rudiments Of drill and maneuver,
and the maintenance and sanitation
of camps. We should encourag e such
training and make it means of dis
cipline which our young men will
learn to value. Ii is right that we
should provide 1t not only, but that
We should make II as attractive as
possible, and so induce our young
men TO undergo it at such times as
they can command little freedom
and can seek the physical develop
ment they need. for mere heaith's
sake. if for nothing more. Every
means by which such things can be
stimulated is legitimate. and such
method smacks OF true American
ideas. 1t Is right, too, that the Ma
tional Guard of the States should be
developed ard strengthened by every
means which is not inconsistent with
our obligations to our own people
or with the established policy of the
Government. And this, also not be-
cause the time or occasion espec-
tally calls for such measures, but be-
cause IL should be our constant policy
80 make these provisions for our ma
t!onal peace and safety.
More than this carries with it a
reversal OF the whole history and
character OF our policy. More than
, this, proposed at this time. permit
me to 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 cannot touch us,
whose very existence affords us OPP
portunities of friendship and disn-
terested service which should make
us ashame OF any thought of hostii-
itv or fearful preparation for trouble.
This is assuredly the opportunity Tor
which a people and government like
ours We're raised up. the opportunity
not only to speak, but actually TO
embody and exemplify the counsels OF
peace and amity and the lasting con-
cord which is based on Justice and
fair aud generous dealing.
Thought OF Defense Only
A powerful navy We have always
regarded as our proper ana naturai
means of defense, and 1t has always
been of defense that We have though,
never OF aggression or of conquest.
But who shall tell US now what sort
of navy TO build9 We shall take leave
to be strong uraon the seas, in the flu
tture as in the past; and there will be
no thought of offensive or Of provoca-
ton in that Our ships are our nat
urai buwarks When will the ex-
perts tell us what kind we should con-
/ strickland when will they be right
for ten years together, II 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 7 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 rervous and excited.
A-,f. rsYt aI q
upon a 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.
1t win 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-
ton The country has been misin-
formed. We have not been negligent
oil national defense. We are not I'M
mindful of 1.-THE great responsibility
resting upon us. We shall learn and
profit by the lesson OF every expert
ence and every new circumstance;
and what is needed will be adequately
! done
should Build For All Time.
/ close, as ! began. by reminding
: you of the great tasks and duties OF
peace which challenge our best pow
!. ars 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
r dom we possess. To develop our life
4 and our resources; to supply our own
: people, and the people OF the world
, as their need arises, from the album
; dant plenty of our fields and marts
: OF trade; TO enrich the commerce OF
, our own States and OF the world with
the products of our mines. our farms
\ and our factories, with the creations
, Of our thought ard the fruits OF our
!. chara cter--this is what will hold our
2 attention and our enthusiasm steadily,
: now and in the years to come, as we
strive 10 show in our life as a ma
2 ton what liberty and the inspirations
! of an emancipated spirit may do for
p men and for societies. for individuals
t for States, and for mankind,
Y --------------
: FISHERMEN GOING
TO BALTIMORE NEE