Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1914-12-11

De @WeGtSQ, Hs CAtStAA RA10s @M~
assessment % the tasks 10 be per,
formed; and the money spent ought
10 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 ap-
preparations as to make Il perfectly
evident what il was spent for and IN
what way II was spent.
IL is not expenditure but extrava,
gance that we should fear being ertti.
cized for: not paying for the legiti
mate enterprises and undertakings OF
great government whose people
command what II should do, but add
ing what win benefit only a few or
pouring money out for 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;
Il Is very generous. II will chide us
only II we forget for whom we pay
money out and whose money Il Is We
pay.
These are large and general stand
ards, but they are not very difficult of
application to particular cases.
The National Defense.
The other topic shall take leave to
mention goes deeper into the princi-
Plies Of our national life and policy.
II is the subject OF national defense.
II cannot be discussed without first
answering some very searching ques'
tions.
II Is said in some quarters that we
are not prepared for war. What 10
meant by being prepared? Is II meant
that we are not ready upon brief mo-
tice to put a nation In the field, ma
ton az men trained to armsg OF
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 II Is sug-
gested we should be prepared 70 do
To defend ourselves against attack!
We have always found means TO dc
that, and shall find them whenever II
is necessary without calling our peo
pie away from their necessary tasks
to render compulsory military service
In times of peace.
Allow me to speak with great plain
ness and directness upon this greai
matter and to avow my convictions
with deep earnestness. ] have triet
to know what America Is what hei
people think, what they are. wha
l ~ nA
hOpe that some OF their finer passioni
are In my own heart, some OF thu
great conceptions and desires whicl
gave birth 10 this government ant
which have made the voice OF thi
people a voice OF peace and hope an
liberty among the peoples OF IN
world. and that. speaking my owl
thoughts, shall, az least In part
speak theirs also, however. family an
inadequately, upon this vital matter.
Fear No Nation.
We are at peace with all the work.
, | No one who speaks counsel base
on fact or drawn from a Just an
. candid Interpretation Of realitie
, can say that there is reason for fea
/ that from any quarter our indepeI
! dence or the integrity Of our territor
, Is threatened. Dread OF the powe
, OF any other nation we are incaDab
|. of. We are not jealous of rivalry
. the fields OF commerce or of any oth'
q peaceful achievement We mean
a live our lives as we Will; but We mes
I also TO let live. We are, indeed,
n true friend to all the nations Of u
world, because we threaten non
covet the possessions OF none, desi
10 the overthrow Of none. Our frien
ship can be accepted and 10 accepts
4 without reservation, because Il Ia
y tered In a spirit and for a purpo
! which no one need ever question
\ suspect. Therein lies our greatness
We are the champions OF peace a
:. OF concord And we should be We
q Jealous OF this distinction which
% have sought to earn. Just nov :
y should be particularly Jealous OF
!. because il Is our dearest present no
= that this character and feputati
= may presently, In Gods provideni
~ bring US an opportunity TO couni
"a and obtain peace in the world q
reconciliation and a healing seti
a. ment of many a matter that has cool
"a and interrupted the friendship
N nations. This is the time above
a. others when we should wish and
AZ solve to keep our strength By self D
j. session. our influence by preAeryl
.s our ancient principles of action.
is Ready Ter Defense.
AS From the first we have had q eli
and settled policy with regard
III military establishments. We ne
by have had, and while we retain !
er. present principles and ideals We ne
re shall have. large standing arr
se II asked, are you ready to def
I'D yourseiyes2 We reply. most assuT
an iy. to the utmost; and yet wa u
In. not turn America into a mIllt
ed camp. We will not FAX our yoi
pn. men to spend the best years OF u
he lives making soldiers OF themsel'
as There Is another sori OF energy IN
ire II will know how 10 declare itself
er make itself effective should occas
he arise. And especially when half
ray world Ii on fire we shall be car
ibt TO make our moral insurance aga
,ay the spread OF the coniiagration :
ely definite and certain and adequate
to deed
the Let US remind ourselves. theref
hIy NJ the only thing we can do or