Middletown transcript., 1914-12-12

the money is being spent for object.
Of which they approve. and that ii is
beingf applied with good business
senses and management
Thee sort Of economy we ought tc
practice may be enrected. and ought I'd
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 ap-
preparations as to make It perfectly
evident what It was spent for and In
what way It was spent.
It is not expenditure but extrava,
ganee that we should fear being criti-
cized for; not paying for the legiti-
mate enterprises and undertakings Of
great government whose people
command what it should do, but add
ing what viii benefit only a 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 It win chide us
only il we forget for whom we pay
money out and whose money It is we
pay.
These are large and general stand
ards, but they are not very difncult 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.
It is the subject of national defense
1t cannot be discussed without first
answering some very searching ques-
tions.
1t Is said in some quarters that we
are not prepared for war. What is
meant by being prepared? It 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? OF
course we are not ready to do that;
and we shall never lie in time Of
peace so long as we retain our pres
ent political principles and institu-
tions. And what is it that it 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 it
Is necessary without calling our peo-
pie away from their necessary tasks
to render compulsory military service
n times Of peace.
Allow me to speak with great plain
ness and directness upon this great
matter and to avow my convictions
with deep earnestness. l have tried
% know what America is, what her
people think, what they are, what
hey most cherish, and hold dear, I
lope that some of their finer passions
ire in my own heart, some Of the
sreat conceptions and desires which
rave birth TO this government and
which have made the voice of this
'eople a voice of peace and hope and !
liberty among the peoples of the
world, and that, speaking my own
houghts. shall, at least in part,
peak theirs also. however, family and |
nadequately. upon this vital matter.
Fear No Nation.
We are at peace with all the world.
70 one who speaks counsel based
n fact or drawn from Just and
andid Interpretation Of realities
an say that there is reason for fear
nat from any quarter our indepen-
ence or the integrity Of our territory
J threatened. Dread Of the power
any other nation we are incapable
Z We are not Jealous Of rivalry in
le fields of commerce or Of any other
eaceful achievement. We mean to
We our lives as we will; but we mean
lso to let live. We are, indeed, a
'ue friend to all the nations Of the
orld, because we threaten none,
0vet the possessions of none, desire
le overthrow of none. Our friend
lip can be accepted and is accepted
ithout reservation. because It is Of
red in a spirit and for a purpose
hich no one need ever question OF
lspeet. Therein lies our greatness.
e are the champions Of peace and
concord. And we should be very
alous Of this distinction which we
I've sought to earn. Just now we
Iould be particularly jealous Of it,
,cause it is our dearest present hope I
at this character and reputation
ay presently, in Gods providence.
ing us an opportunity to counsel
ID obtain peace in the world and
conciliation and healing settle
ent Of man matter that has cooled
d interrupted the friendship Of
tions. This is the time above all
hers when we should wish and re-
I've to keep our strength by self-pos-
ssion. our influence by preserving
r ancient principles Of action.
Ready for Defense.
From the first we have had clear L
d settled policy with regard to @
litary establishments. We never t
We had, and while we retain our s
esent principles and ideals we never u
all have, large standing army. f
asked. are you ready to defend t
urselves? We reply. most assured t
to the utmost; and yet we shall t
turn America into a military a
mp. We will mot ask our young tt
n to spend the best years of their Ii
es making soldiers of themselves, e
ere is another sort of energy in us. a
will know how to declare itself and 81