The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1914-12-25

We are at peace With all the world
No one who speaks counsel based on
fact or drawn from a just and candid
Interpretation Of realities can say that
there Is reason to fear that from any
quarter our independence or the integ-
rity Of our territory is threatened
Dread of the power Of any other ma
ton we are incapable Of We are not
jealous of rivalry in the fields Of COM
merce or of any other peaceful achieve
ment We mean to live our own lives
as we will. but we mean also to let
live. We are. indeed. q true friend to
all the nations Of the world, because
we threaten none. covet the possess
sions of none. desire the overthrow Of
none.
Our friendship can be accepted and
is accepted without reservation, be-
cause 1t Is offered in spirit and for
purpose which no one need ever
question or suspect. Therein lies our
greatness. We are the champions of
peace and Of concord. And we should
be very jealous of this distinction
which we have sought to earn. Just
now we should be particularly jealous
Of It. because it is our dearest present
hope that this character and reputation
may presently, In Gods providence,
bring US an opportunity such as has
seldom been vouchsafed any nation.
the opportunity to counsel and obtain
peace in the world and reconciliation
and a healing settlement of many
matter that has cooled and interrupt
ed the friendship of nations. This Is
the time above all others when we
should wish and resolve to keep our
strength by self possession. our influ.
ence by preserving our ancient princi-
pies of action.
From the first we have had a clear
and settled policy with regard to mill
tary esta blishments. 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 defend yourselves?
we reply. Most assuredly; to the ut
most. And yet we shall not turn
America into military camp. We
will 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 will
know how to declare itself and make
itself effective should occasion arise,
And especially when half the world Is
on fire we shall be careful to make our
moral insurance against the spread OF
the confa grafton very definite and GER
tain and adequate indeed
Let us remind ourselves, therefore.
of the only thing we can do or viii do
We must depend in every time of ma
tionaI peril. in the future as in the
past not upon a standing army nor yet
upon reserve army but upon ciri
zenry trained and accustomed to arms
II will be right enough, right American
policy, based upon our accustomed
principles and practices, to provide a
system by which every citizen who
will volunteer for the training may be
made familiar with the use OF modern
arms. the rudiments Ut drill and una
neuver and the maintenance and SAM
tation of camps, We should encourage
such training and make it means OF
discipline which our young men will
learn to value.
1t is right that we should provide 1t
not only, but that we shond make IT
as attractive as possible, and 50 induce
our young men to undergo 1t at such
times as they can command little
freedom and can seek the physical de-
velopment they need. for mere health's
sake. If for nothing more. Every
means by which such things can be
stimulated is legitimate, and such q
method smacks of true American ideas
1t is right, too. that the national guard
of the states should be developed and
strengthened by every means which Is
not inconsistent with our obligations
to our own people or with the estab
lished policy of our government. and
this also not because the time or occa.
sion specially calls for such measures
but because it should be our constant
policy to make these provisions for oul
national peace and safety.
More than this carries with it a 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 off our balance by wal
with which we have nothing to do
whose causes cannot touch us. whose
very existence affords us opportunities
| of friendship and disinterested service
which should make us ashamed of any
thought of hostility or fearful prepare