The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1914-12-12
PRESIDENT OPPOSED TO
BIG STANDING ARMY.
Speaks Plainly and Directly on Cues
ton Of National Defenses-

Speaks Plainly and Directly on Cues
ton Of National Defenses-
The other topic ! shall take leave
to mention goes deeper into the prin-
| ciples OF our national life and policy
1t is the subject OF national defense.
1t cannot be discussed without tirst
answering some very searching ques
lions. 1t Is said in some quarters that
we are not prepared for war. What Is
meant by being prepared? Is IL meant
that We are not ready upon brief no
tice to put q nation IN the field. a ma
tion OF men trained TO armsr or
course we are not ready to do that.
and we shall never be In time OF peace
80 long as we retain our present polit,
zeal principles and institutions. And
what Is IT that IT is suggested we
should be prepared to do-to defend
ourselves against attack We have al
ways found means to do that and
shall find them whenever IT Is neces-
sary without calling our people away
from their necessary tasks to render
compulsory military service In times
Of peace.
Allow me to speak with great plain
ness and dlrectness upon this great
matter and TO avOw my convictions
with deep earnestness. have tried
to know what America Is, what her
people think, what they are. what they
most cherish and hold dear. l hope
that some Of their finer passions are In
my own heart-Some OF the great con-
ceptions and desires which gave birth
70 this government and which have
made the voice OF this people a voice
Of peace and hope and liberty among
the peoples OF the world. and that,
speaking my own thoughts, / shall, at
least in part, speak theirs also, how
ever family and inadequately, upon
this vital matter.
We are at peace with ali 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 70 fear that from any
quarter Ou= 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, a true friend to
all the nations OF the world, because
we threaten none, covet the posses
siOns Of done. desire the overthrow Of
none.
Our friendship can be accepted and
is accepted without reservation. be-
cause It is offered in a spirit and for
a 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 rs an opportunity such as has
seldom been vOuchsafed any nation,
the opportunity to counsel and obtain
peace IN the world and reconciliation
and q healing settlement Of many q
matter that has cooled and interrupt
ed the friendship Of nations. This II
the time above all others when We
should wish and resolve to keep our
strength BY self possession, our innu-
enee By preserving our ancient princI-
pies Of action.
From the irst we have had a clear
and settled policy with regard 10 mfi-
tary establishments We never have
had. and while we retain our present
principles and ideals we never shall
have. large standing army. II asked,
Are jon ready to defend yourselvesI
We reply. Most assuredly; 10 the ut
most And Jet We shah not turn
America into q military eamp. We
VII not ask our young men 20 spend
ne best years OF their lives making
soldiers Of Themselves There Il an
other sort Of energy IN N Il win
know hOw % declare itself and make
Itself elective should occasion arisa
And especially when half the world a
on me- We shall BE- careful % make our
moral insurance against the spread Of
the cOnnagration very definite ana esr.
tain and adequate indeed
Let ~ remind ourselves, thsrefore.
OF ths only thing we can DO OF win %.
We must depend IN every time Of M,
uonal peril In the future e. IN he
past not upon q standing army nor Pet |
upon q reserve army. but upon q I'D
ssny trained and aceustomed 70 arzs