The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1914-12-18

being applied with good business
sense and management.
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
SO account for every dollar Of our APP
preparations as to make 1t perfectly
evident what 1t was spent for and in
what way 1t was spent.
II is not expenditure but extrava-
gance that we should fear being criti-
cized for; not paying for the legiti-
mate enterprises and undertakings Of
a great government whose people
command what 1t should do. but add
ing what will benefit only few or
pouring money out Tor what need not
have been undertaken at all or might
have been postponed or better and
more economically conceived and car
ried out. The nation is not niggardly;
1t is very generous 1t will chide us
only II we. forget for whom we pay
money out and whose money 1t is we
pay.
These are large and general stand
ards, but they are not very difficult of
application to particular cases.
The Natural Defense.
The other topic | shall take leave to
mention goes deeper into the princi-
pies of our national life and policy.
II is the subject of national defense.
II cannot be discussed without first
answering some very searching ques-
tons.
II Is said in some quarters that we
are not prepared for war. What is
meant by being prepared? 1t is meant
that we are not ready upon brief no
tice to put a nation IN the field, ma.
ton Of men trained to arms? or
course we are not ready to do that;
and we shall never be in time of
peace so long as we retain our pres.
ent political principles and institu.
lions. And what is ii that 1t is sug.
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 peo-
pie away fror, their necessary tasks
to render compulsory military service
in times of peace.
Allow me to speak with great plain
ness and direnness upon this great
matter and to avow my convictions
with deep earmestness | have tried |
to know what America is, what her
people think, what they are, what
they most cherish, and hold dear. I
hope that some of their finer passions
are in my own heart, some of the |
great conceptions and desires which |
gave birth to this government and
which have made the voice OF this
people voice of peace and hope and |
liberty among the peoples of the
world, and that, speaking my own
thoughts, shall, at least III part. |
speak theirs also, however family and |
inadequately, upon this vital matter
Fear No Nation.
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 for fear
that from any quarter our indepen.
dence or the integrity of our territory |
is threatened. Dread OF the power
of 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
live our lives as we will; but we mean
also to lie: live. We are, indeed.
true friend to all the nations of the |
world, because we threaten none, |
covet the possessions of none, desire |
the overthrow of none, Our friend |
ship can be accepted and is accepted |
without reservation. because 1t IS Of |
fered in a 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 1t. |
because It is our dearest present hope |
that this character and reputation |
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 man a matter that has cooled
and interrupted the friendship of
nations. This is the time above all
others when 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 defend
Yourselves? We reply. most assured