The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1914-12-08

merce or OF any other peaceful
achievement We mean TO live our
own lives as We will; but we mean
also 10 let live. We are. indeed.
true friend 10 all the nations or 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 II 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 10 earn Just now We
should be particularly Jealous OF II,
because IL 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 70 counsel and obtain
peace in the world and reconciliation
and 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 In
tluence by preserving our ancient
principles OF action.
No Large Army Needed.
From the first we have had 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 II asked. Are you ready 10
defend yourselves? We reply. Most
assuredly, 10 the utmost; and yet we
shall not turn America into military
camp. We will not ask our young
men 10 spend the best years OF their
lives making soldiers OF themselves.
There is another 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
10 make our moral Insurance. against
the spread of the conflagration very
definite and certain and adequate In
deed.
Let us remind ourselves, therefore,
of the only thing we can do or will
do. We must depend in every time
OF national peril. in the future as in
the past. not upon a standing army,
nor yet upon a reserve army, but
upon a citizenry trained and accus.
toned TO arms. II will be right
enough. right American policy. based
upon our accustomed principles and
practices, 10 provide system by
which every citizen who will volun-
teer for the training may be made IA
miliar with the use OF modern arms,
the rudiments OF drill and maneuver,
and the maintenance and sanitation OF
camps. We should encourage such
training and make ii a means OF dis
cipline which our young men Will
learn TO value. IL is right that we
should provide II not only, but that
we should make IL as attractive as
possible, and so induce our young
men TO undergo it at such times as
they can command a little freedom
and can seek the physical develop
ment they need, for mere health's
sake, II for nothing more Every
means by which such things can be
stimulated Is legitimate, and such
method smacks OF true American
ideas. II Is right, too, that the Ma
tional 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 established policy OF our
government And this. also, not be-
cause the time or occasion specially
calls for such measures. but because
II should be our constant policy to
make these provisions for our ma
tional peace and safety.
MIlltarism un-American.
More than this carries with II
reversal of the whole history and
character 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 of our balance by
war with which we have nothing
to do. whose causes can not touch
US, whose very existence affords US
opportunities of friendship and dis
interested service which should make
us ashamed of any thought OF hostil-
ity or fearful preparation for trouble.
This Is assuredly the opportunity for
which people and a government like
ours were raised up. the opportunity
not only 10 speak but actually TO
embody and exemplify the counsels
Of peace and amity."