The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1914-12-10
PRESIDENT OPPOSED TO
BIG STANDING ARMY.
Speaks Plainly and Directly on Cues
ton OF National Defenses.

ton OF National Defenses.
The other topic shall take leave
10 mention goes deeper into the prin
ciples of our national life and policy
II is the subject OF national defense.
i IL cannot be discussed without first
answering some very searching ques
lions II is said In some quarters that
We are not prepared for war. What is
meant by being preparedg Is II meant
that we are not ready upon briet no
| ticc to put nation In the field ma
| ton Of men trained TO armsi or
course we are not ready 10 do that.
| and we shall never be in time of peace
| so long as we retain our present polit
| zeal principles and institutions. And
what is il that II is suggested we
should be prepared to do-to defend
ourselves against attack? We have nj
ways found means to do that and
shall find them whenever II is neces.
sary 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 drectness 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 con.
ceptions 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, nj
least In part, speak theirs also, how.
ever family and inadequately. upon
this vital matter.
We are al peace with all the world
No one who speaks counsel based on
fact or drawn from just and candid
Interpretation of realities can say that
there is reason to fear that from any
quarter our Independence or the integ
rity of our territory is threatened
Dread Of the power of any other ma
ton we are incapable Of We are not
jealous OF rivalry in the fields Of com
merce or of any other peaceful achieve
ment We mean to live our own lives
as we will but we mean also to let |
live. We are. indeed. true friend to |
oil fhn tnf AP hn
we threaten none. covet the posses
sions of none. desire the overthrow Of
none.
Our friendship can be accepted and |
is accepted without reservation, be
cause II 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 1t. because 1t is our dearest present
hope that this character and reputation
may presently. in Gods providence,
bring us 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
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 infu-
ence by preserving our ancient princi-
pies of action.
From the first we have had clear
and settled policy with regard to mill
tary establishments. We never have
had. and while we retain our present
principles and ideals we never shall
have. 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 military camp. We
will not ask our young men to spend
he best years Of their lives making
oldiers of themselves. There Is an
'ther sort Of energy in us. 1t will
now how to declare itself and make
tself effective should occasion arise.
Ind especially when half the world is
N fire we shall be careful to make our
moral insurance against the spread OF
he confiagration very definite and GER
ain and adequate indeed
Let us remind ourselves, therefore.
I the only thing we can do or will do.
We must depend In every time Of ma
ional peril. In the future as In the
ast. not upon standing army nor yet
pom reserve army. but upon a citi-
enry trained and accustomed TO arms,
will be right enough. right American
olicy, based upon our accustomed
rinciples and practices, to provide
ystem by which every citizen who
I'LL volunteer for the training may be
lade familiar with the use Of modern
rms. the rudiments VI drill and ma
euver and the maintenance and SAM
ition of camps We should encourage