The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1914-12-11
OF these two years of memorable la.
hnr
An important Duty,

An important Duty.
But ! think that you will agree
with me that this does not complete
the toll Of cur duty How are we to
carry our goods to he empty markets
OF which | have spoken if we have
not the certain and constant means
OF transportation upon which all profit
able and useful commerce depends?
And how are We to get the ships II
we wait for the trade to develop with
out them?
The routes of trade must be actually
opeped-by many ships and regular
sallings and moderate charges-before
streams of merchandise will flow free
ly and protitably through them.
Must Open Gates Of Trade.
Hence the pending Shipping bill,
discussed at the last session. but as
yet passed by neither house In my
judgment such legislation Is impera-
lively needed and cannot wisely be
postponed. The government must
open these gates of trade. very earn
estly hope that the congress will adopt
this exceedingly important bill.
The great subject Of rural credits
still remains to be dealt with, and
it is a matter of deep regret that the
difficulties of the subject have seemed
to render it Impossible to complete
a bill for passage at this session. But
it cannot be perfected yet,
Economy Is Urged.
Before | close, may say a few
words upon two topics, much DIS
cussed out Of doors. upon which it is
highly important that our judgments
should be clear, definite and steadfast.
One of these Is economy in govern
ment expenditures.
The sort of economy we ought to
practice may be effected, and ought to
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 APP
preparations as to make it perfectly
evident what 1t a spent for and IN
what way it was spent.
It is not expenditure but extrava'
gance that we should fear being criti'
cized for; not paying for the leGiti
mate enterprises and undertakings OF
a great government whose people
command what it should do, but add
ing what will benefit only a few OF
pouring money out for what need moi
have been undertaken at all or migh'
have been postponed or better anc
more economically conceived and car
rjed out. The nation Is not .ligeardly'
II is very generous, 1t will chide US
only If we forget for whom we pay
money out and whose money 1t is w
pay.
These are large and general stand
ards. but they are not very difficult o
application to particular cases.
The National Defense.
The other topic | shall take leave Il
mention goes deeper into tie prlhcl
ples of our national life and policy
It is the subject of national defense
II cannot be discussed without frs
answering some very searching ques
tons. ,-
II Is said In some quarters that W
are not prepared for war "nat l
meant by being prepared? Is it mean
that we are not ready upon brief ne
tice to put a nation in the HELD a hi
tion of men trained 10 arms? \
course VIC are not ready 20 90 that
and we shall never be IN I'M {
peace SO long as we retain our pre-
=, ept political principles, n lhs'it'
tions. And at is 1t th~t II Is SUI
) pested we should be prepared TO &c
TO defend ourselves against attack
:. We have always found means TO q
' that and shall find them whenever
ia necessary without calling our pc
y nle away from their necessary tasF
70 render compulsory military servo
, In times of peace.
Fear No Nation.
We are at peace with III the "or'
M ore who speaks coursei basf
On fact or drawn from a Just an
candid Interpretation OF realil''
8 can say that there is reason Tor re-
that from any quarter our indepe
dance or the integrity Of our terr'to'
ia threatened Dread of the pow
y nf any other nation we are ihcapao
5 NJ We are not Jealous Of riVa'ry,
+. t,a folds Of commerce or OF airy oth
h neoceru, achievement We mean
If tive our lives as we will; but we mel
also to let live. We are, indeed,
trre friend to all the nations u u
world, because We thera'eh nv,
covet the possessions of none des'
- the overthrow Of none. our 'T'el
=. shin can be accepted and is accept
% without reservation, because II Is
:, fered in a spirit and for a purpo
!, which no one need ever question
suspect. Therein lies our srea'pe'
a We are the champions of peace a