East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1914-12-08

not have been undertaken at all or
might have been postponed or better
and more economically conceived and
carried out. The nation is not mig
gerly, 1t IS very generous. II viii
chide US only II we forget for what
we pay the money out and for whom
It is we pay. These are large and gen.
eral standards, but they are not very
difficult Of application TO particular
cases.
The other topic I shall take leave
to mention goes deeper into the prin-
ciples Of our national life and policy.
II is the subject of national defense.
COuntry's Defenses.
II cannot be discussed without first
answering some very searching ques-
tos. II is said in some quarters that
we are not prepared for war. What
is meant by being prepared? Is II
meant that We are not ready upon
brief notice to put a nation in the
field a nation of men trained to
arms? OF course. we are not ready TO
do that: and we shall never be in
time OF peace so long as we retain
our present political principles and
instlttions. And what is 1t that sug-
gested we should be prepared to do?I
To defend ourselves against attack?
We have always found means TO do
that and shall find them whenever
Il Is necessary 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 directness upon this great
matter and to avow my convictions
with deep earnestness. I have tried
to know what America is; what her
people think. what they are. what
they most cherish and hold dear II
hope that some OF their finer passions
are In my own heart-some of the
great conceptions and desires which
gave birth to this government and
which have made the voice of this
people a voice OF peace and hope and
liberty among the people OF the
world, and that speaking my own
thoughts. shall at least, in part,
and inadequately, upon this vital
matter.
We are at peace with all the world. |
No one who speaks counsel based on
fact or drawn from n just and can
did Interpretation OF realities can
say that there is reason to fear that
from any quarter our independence /
tnNA 90 e.
threatened, Dread of the power OF /,
any other nation we are incapable Of
We are not Jealous of rivalry in the ,
fields OF commerce 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, in
deed, true friend OF all the nations
of the world, because we threaten
none Our friendship can be accept
ed and is accepted without reserva-
tion, because II is offered in n spir-
It and for a purpose which no one
need ever question or suspect. There
In lies our greatness. We are the
champions of peace and of concord.
And we should be very jealous of this
ulSllHCllOn WHlCH We HdNt SOuknt 10
earn. Just now we should be par
ticularly jealous OF It, because 1t is
our dearest present hope that this
character and reputation may pres
entity in Gods providence, bring us
an opportunity such as has seldom
been vouchsafed. bring us an oppor-
tunity to council and obtain peace in
the world and reconciliation and a
healing settlement of many matter
that has cooled and interrupted the
of nations, This Is the
time above all others when we should
wish and resolve to keep our strength
Of self possession. our influence by
our ancient principles OF
action,
No Large Army
From the first we have had a
clear and settled policy with regard
to military establishments, We new