The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1914-12-16

Jealous of rivalry in the neids OF con- CON
merce or of any other peaceful achieve.
mcnt. 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, covct the posses
sions OF none, desire the overthrow of
none.
Our friendship can be accepted and
is accepted without reservation. be-
cause it 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 MS an opportunity such as has
seldom been vOuchsafed any nation.
the opportunity to counsel and obtain
peace in the world and reconciliation
and healing settlement Of many a
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 infiu-
ence by preserving our ancient princi-
| pies Of action.
! From the first we have had clear
and settled policy with regard to mill,
tarv establishments. We never have
had. and while we retain our present
principles and IDEALS we never shall
have. u 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 a 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 i'll 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 conflagration very definite and Ger.
tain and adequate indeed.
Let us remind ourselves, therefore.
Of the only thing we can do or will do
We must depend in every time of ma
tional peril. in the future as In the
past. not upon standing army nor yet
upon reserve army. bu. upon Il citi-
zenry trained and accustomed to arms.
1t will he right enough, right American
policy, based upon our accustomed
principles and practices, 10 provide a
system by which every citizen who
will volunteer for the training may be
made familiar with the use Of modern
arms, the r,idiments of drill and ina
newer and the maintenance and SAME
, tation of camps. We should encourage
such training and make 1t means Of
discipline which our young men will
learn to value
1t is right that we should provide It
not only. but that we should make 1t
as attractive as possible, and so induce
DIR young men to undergo it mt such
times as they can command little
freedom and can seek the physical de-
velopment 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.
1t is right, too, TINT 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. anu
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 our
national peace and safety.
More tlihn this carries with it a re-
ycrsal Of the whole history and char
acter Of our 'poity. 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 war
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 prepara-
ton for trouble. This is assuredy the
opportunity for which Il people aud 4
government like ours were raised up.
the opportunity not only to speak. but
actually to embody and exemp,ify the
counsels of peace and amity and the
lasting concord which is, based on jus.
tice and fair and generous dealing.