The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1914-12-17

or concord. n we should be very
jealous of this distinction which w
have sought to earn. Just now We
should be particularly Jealous Of 1t.
because 1t is our dearest present hore
may presently, in Gods providence.
bring us an opportunity to counsel
and obtain peace in the world and
reconciliation and a healing settle
ment Of many a matter that has cooled
and interrupted the friendship OF
nations. This is the time above all
others that we should wish and re-
solve to keep our strength by self-pos-
session, our influence by preserving
our ancient principles of action.
Ready for Defense.
From the first we have had a clear
and settled policy with regard TO
military 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 defehd
yourselves? We reply, most assured
ly, to the utmost; and yet we shah
not turn America into a military
camp. We must depend in every time
Of national peril, in the future as III
the past, not upon a standing army
nor yet upon a reserve army, but upon
a citizenry trained and accustomed
to arms. II will be right enough, right
American policy. based upon our ac-
customed principles and practices, 10
provide q system by which every
| citizen who will volunteer for
the training may be made familiar
with the use of m iern arms, the rudi-
ments of drill and maneuver, and the
| maintenance and sanitation OF camps
We should encourage such training
and make it a mean OF discipline
which our young men will learn to
value. The National Guard OF the
states should be developed ana
strengthened by every means when IS
| not inconsistent with our obligations
to our own people or with the estab-
| lished policy of our government. Ana
this, also, not because the time or oc-
casion specially calls for such meas
ures, but because it should be our
constant policy to make these provt
sions for our national peace and safe
ty.
More than this carries with 1t a re-
versal of the whole history and char
acter of our polity. More than this,
proposed at this time, permit me tc
say, would mean merely that we had
lost our self-possession, that we had
been thrown off our balance by a wal
with which we have nothing to DO
whose causes cannot touch US, whose
very existence affords us opportun
tiles of friendship and disinteresteo
service which should make Is
ashamed of any thought OF hostility
or fearful preparation for trouble
This is assuredly the opportunity fol
which & people and a government like
ours we're raised up, the opportunity
not only to speak but actually to EN-
body and exemplify the counsels Of
peace and amity and the lasting con
cord which is based on justice and fail
and generous dealing.
Ships Our Natural Bulwarks.
A powerful navy we have always
regarded as CUR Proper and natura
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 sorI
of navy to build? We shall take leave
to be strong upon the seas in the
future as in the past; and there VII
be no thought Of offense OF of provo
cation in that. Our ships are oul
natural bulwarks. 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 of differ
ont kinds and uses continues tC
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. Let there be no miscon
ception. The country has been misin
formed. We have not been negligent
of national defense. We are not un
mindful Of the great responsibility
resting upon US. We shall learn and
profit by the lesson of every expert
ence and every new circumstances;
and what is needed will be adequately
done.
Great Duties of Peace.
I close, as | began, by reminding
you of the great tasks and duties OF
peace which challenge our best powers
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 finest
gifts of constructive wisdom we pos
sess. To develop our life and our re.
sources; to supply our W people, and
the people of the world as their need
arises. from the abundant plenty OF
u fields and our marts of trade; to
enrich the commerce of our own states
and of the world with the products of
u mines, our farms, and our fac.
tories, with the creations Of our
thought and the fruits Of our charac.
ter-this is what will hold our atten.
ton and our enthusia- i steadily, now
and In the years to come. as we strive
to show in our life as a nation what
liberty and the inspirations of an
emancipated spirit may do for men
and for societies, for individuals. for