The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1914-12-18

. | bSAh6 dpPlicQ viii 6OOu buointoS
{ sense and management.
The sort of economy we ought to
: practice may be effected, and ought to
be effected, by a careful study and
J 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 it was spent for and in
what way it was spent.
1t is not expenditure but extrava-
gance 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 will benefit only 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;
it is very generous. 1t will chide US
only If 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 difficult of
application to particular cases.
The Natural Defense.
The other topic l shall take leave to
mention goes deeper into the princi-
/ y,lo Of
1t 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? 1t is meant !
that we are not ready upon brief no. |
tice to put nation in the field, ma
ton 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 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
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 have tried
to know what America is. what her
people think, what they are, what
they most cherish, and hold dear, |
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 peoples of the
world. and that. speaking my own
thoughts. | shall. at least IN part.
speak theirs also, however family and
inadequately. upon this vital matter
Fear No Nation.
We are at peace with all the world
No one who speaks counsel based
on fact or drawn from a just and
candid Interpretation of realities
can say that there is reason for fear !
that from any quarter our indepen- t
dence or the integrity of our territory a
is threatened. Dread of the power a
of any other nation we are incapable
Of. We are not jealous of rivalry in S
the fields of commerce or of any other t
peaceful achievement. We mean to c
live our lives as we will; but we mean ?
also to let live. We are. indeed. a !
true friend to all the nations of the a
world, because we threaten none, S
covet the possessions of none. desire a
the overthrow of none. Our friend v
ship can be accepted and is accepted il
without reservation. because it IS Of b
tered in a spirit and for a purpose v
which no one need ever question or Z
suspect. Therein lies our greatness. f
We are the champions of peace and o
Of concord. And we should be very n
Jealous of this distinction which we r
have sought to earn. Just now we
should be particularly Jealous of II. e
because it is our dearest present hope a
hat this character and reputation d
nay presently. in Gods providence.
oring us an opportunity to counsel
md obtain peace in the world and :,
and a healing settle =
nent of man a matter that has cooled =
ind interrupted the friendship of !.
nations. This is the time above all :
others when we should wish and re- :,
;olve to keep our strength by self-pos- =
session, our influence by preserving ;,
,ur ancient principles of action. =,
Ready for Defense. a
From the first we have had a clear n
md settled policy with regard to O
establishments. We never t.
rave had, and while we retain our s.
present principles and ideals we never u
hall have. large standing army. f.
+ asked. are you ready to defend Il
We reply. most assured t.
y. to the utmost; and yet we shall ii
lot turn America into a military a.
amp We will not ask our young tt
nen to spend the best years OF their Ii
ives making soldiers of themselves. el
There is another sort of energy in us. al