Meade County news., 1914-12-17

because it is our dearest present hope
that this character and reputation
may presently, in Gods providence.
bring us an opportunity to counseI
and obtain peace in the world ana
reconciliation and healing settie-
ment of many 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 clear
and settled policy with regard 10
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 detehu
yourselves? We reply, most assureo'
ly. to the utmost; and yet we shail
not turn America into a mihtary
camp. We must depend in every time
of national peril, in the future as III
the past, not upon standing army'
nor yet upon a reserve army, but upon
a citizenry trained and accustomed
to arms. 1t will be right enough risn'
American policy, based upon our ac'
customed principles and practices 10
provide a system by which every
citizen who will volunteer for
the training may be made famiiial
with the use of m dern arms, theruuF
ments of drill and maneuver, ana the
maintenance and sanitation OF camps
We should encourage such training
and make it a means OF discipline
which our young men will learn TO
value. The National Guard OF the
states should be developed anu
strengthened by every mears which IS
not inconsistent with our obligations
to our own people or with the estap'
| lished policy of our government Ana
| this, also, nc+ because the time or oc-
casion specially calls for such meas
ures. but because it should be our
constant policy to make these provl-
sions for our national peace and sate-
| ty
More than this carries with 1t re-
yersal of the whole history and char
acter of our polity More than thls'
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 opportun'
tiles of friendship and disinterested
service which should make s
ashamed of any thought of hostility
OF fearful preparation for trouble
This is assuredly the opportunity fol-
which {. people and government like
ours we're raised up, the opportunity
not only to speak but actually to EN-
body and exemplify the counsels oil
peace and amity and the lasting con-
cord which is based on justice and fair
and generous dealing.
Ships Our Natural Bulwarks.
A powerful navy we have always
regarded as CUR 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 offense or 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
cnt kinds and uses continues tC
change as we have seen 1t change
under our very eyes in these last
few months?
But l 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.
close, as ! began, by reminding
you Of the great tasks and duties ot
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 own people, anc
the people of the world as their need
arises, from the abundant plenty oI
our fields and our marts of trade; tc
enrich the commerce of our own states
and of the world with the products oi
our mines, our farms. and our fac
tories, with the creations of ouI
thought and the fruits OF our charac
ter-this is what will hold our atten
tion and our enthusia- n steadily, now
and in the years to come. as we strive