The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1914-12-18

But think that you will agree
with me that this does not complete
the toll Of u duty. How are we to
carry our goods to the empty markets
or which ! have spoken If we have
not the certain and constant means
OF transportation upon which all profit
able and useful commerce depends?
ana now are we to get the ships If
we wait for the trade TO develop with
out them?
The routes of trade must be actually
o~pened-by many ships and regular
sailings and moderate charges-before
streams OF merchandise will flow free
~ and profitably through them.
Must Open Gates of Trade.
Hence the pending Shipping bill.
discussed at the last session, but as
yet passed by neither house. In my
judgment such legislation is impera-
lively needed and cannot wisely be
postponed. The government must
open these gates Of trade. very earn
estly hope that the ongress will adopt
this exceedingly important bill.
The great subject of rural credits
still remains to be dealt With, and
II is a matter Of deep regret that the
difficulties of the subject have seemed
10 render it impossible to complete
a bill for passage at this session But
it cannot be perfected yet.
Economy Is Urged.
Before | close, may / say a few
words upon two topics, much dis
cussed out Of doors, upon which it is
highly important that our judgments
should be clear, definite and steadfast.
One of these IS economy III govern
ment expenditures.
The sort of economy we ought to
practice may be effected, and ought to
be effected, by a careful study and
assessment of the tasks to be per-
formed; and the money spent ought
to be made to yield the best possible
returns in efficiency and achievement.
And, like good stewards, we should
sc account for every dollar of our APP
preparations as to make it perfectly
evident what it was spent for and in
what way it was spent.
1t is not expenditure but extrava-
gance that We should fear being criti-
cized for, not paying for the leglti-
mate enterprises and undertakings OF
q great government whose people
command what it should do, but add
ing what Will benefit only d few or
pouring money out for what need not
hl ya hEIr4 iTl4R at+1 Lar. - C1lZ~w .G5-xI4
have been postponed or better and
more economically conceived and car.
riea out. The nation IS not ~1ieeard1y,
it IS very generous. 1t viii chide MS
only ii we forget for whom We pax
money ont and whose money It Is We
pay,
These are large and general stand
ards. but they are not very difficult pc
application 70 particular eases.
The National pefen-e.
The other topic | shah take leave To-
mention goes deeper into tl7e prinei
pies Of our national life and policy.
IT u tic subject OF national defense
II cannot he discussed without first
answering some very searching ques
tons.
It IS said in some quarters that We
are not prepared for war. What Ii
meant by being prepared? Is it meant
that we are not ready upon brief no
tiee to put a nation in the field, a ma
ton Of men trained to arms? OF
course we are not ready o do that;
and we shall never be in time Of
peace so long as We retain our pres
ent political principles, and institu-
tons. And lat IS it thut it is sng-
gested We should be prepared to do?
To defend ourselves against attack?
We have always found means to do
that, and shall find them whenever il
IS necessary without calling our PEG
pie away from their necessary tasks
to render compulsory military service
in times Of peace.
Fear No Nation.
VIZ are at peace with Ill the world
n who speaks counsel based
fact or draWn from a just and
Interpretation Of realities
can say that there is reason for fear
that from any quarter our indepen-
dence or the integrity Of our territory
IS threatened. Dread of the power
any other nation we are incapable
OF. We are not jealous of rivalry in
the fields Of commerce or Of any other
peaceful achievement. We mean to
i've our lives as we will; but we mean
also to let live. We are, indeed. a
rue friend to all the nations of the
world, because we theraten meme.
,ovet the possessions of none. desire
he overthrow of none. Our friend
ship can be accepted and is accepted
reservation, because it Is OIL
cred in q spirit and for a purpose
which no i need ever question or
Therein lies our greatness
are the champions Of peace and