The Holly chieftain., 1914-12-11

mako itself elective should occasioa
arise. And especially vhsa half th>
world fs ON dre We shall bs careful
to make our moral insurance against
the spread OF the conAagration very
definite and certain and adequate in.
deed.
Let us remind ourselves. therefore
Of the only thing we can do. or viii
do. We must depend In every time
OF national peril, in the future as In
the past, not upon 4 standing army.
nor yet upon q reserve army. but upon
q eitizenry trained and accustomed
to arms. 1t will be right enough. right
American policy. based upon our ac-
customed principles and practices. to
provide . System by which every
citisen who will volunteer for
the training may be made familiar
with the use Of modern arms. the rudi-
ments Of drill and maneuver. and the
maintenance and sanitation OF campo.
We should encourage such training
and make 1t q means Of discipline
which our young men will learn to
vslus. 1t ID right that We should pro
vide 1t not only. but that we should
make 1t As attractive ~ possible. and
90 induce our young men to undergo
it ct such times ~ they can command
little freedom and can sesk tho
physical development they need. for
more heaith's sake, II for nothing
more. Every means by which such.
things can be stimulated IL legitimate.
and such q method smacks OF true
American ideas. 1t il . right. too.
that the National Guard Of the states
should be developed and strengthened
by every means, which II 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 1t should be our constant pol.
icy to make these 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. to
say, would mean merely that we had
lost our self-possession, that we had
been thrown on our balance by a war
with which he have nothing to do.
whose causes cannot touch us. whose
very existence affords US opp0Ftun-
tiles Of friendship and disinterested
service which should make us
ashamed Of any thought OF hostility
or fearful preparation for trouble.
Ships Our Natural suswark&
A powerful navy we have always
regarded as our proper and natural
means Of defense; and II has always
been Of defense that we have thought,
never Of aggression ov Of conquest
But who shall ten u now what sort
Of navy 10 build |! We shall take leave
to be strong upon the seas, in the
future ~ In the past: and there will
be no thought Of offense or Of provo
cation in that. Our ships are our
natural butwsrks. When will the ex-
perts tell US Just what kind we should
construct-and when will they be
right for ten years together, II the
relative efficiency OF craft for differ
ent kinds and uses continues to
change as we have seen 1t change
under our very eyes in these last
few months?
But | turn away from the subject.
It is not new. There Is no new need
to discuss 1t. We shall not alter our
attitude toward II because some
amongst US are nervous and excited
We shall easily and sensibly agree
such q policy Of defense. The cues.
tion has not changed its aspects be-
cause the times are not normal. Our
policy will not be for an occasion.
It will be conceived as permanent
and settled thing, which we will pur-
sue at all seasons. without haste and
after fashion perfectly consistent
with the peaea 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
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 putIes ef Peace.
I close. rs began. by reminding
you Of the great tasks and duties Of