Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1915-12-08

today delivered his annual message at
Joint session of the two houses of con-
gress. He said in part
Since 1 last had the privilege of adj
dressing you on the state of the Union
the war of nations on the other side OF
the sea, which had then only begun to
disclose its portentOus proportions. has
extended its threatening and sinister scope
until 1t has swept within its flame some
portion of every quarter of the globe, not
excepting our hemisphere, has altered the
whole face of international affairs, and
now presents a prospect of reorganiza-
ton and reconstruction such as states
men and peoples have never been called
upon to attempt before.
We have stood apart. studiously neutral
1t was our manifest duty to do So In
the day of readjustment and recupera-
1iOn we earnestly hope and believe that
we can be of infinite service.
In this neutrality, to which they were
hidden not only by their separate life and
their habituaI detachment from the poll
tics of Europe but also by a clear per-
ception Of international duty, the states
of America have become conscious of
new and more vital community of inter-
est and moral partnership in affairs, more
clearly conscious of the many common
Bympathies and interests and duties which
bid them stand together.
We have been put to the test in the case
Of Mexico, and we have stood the test.
Whether we have benefited Mexico by
the course we have pursued remains to
be seen. Her fortunes are in her own
hands. But we have at least proved that
we will not take advantage of her in her
distress and undertake to impose upon
her an order and government of our own
choosing.
We will aid and befriend Mexico, but
we will not coerce her; and our course
with regard to her ought to be sufficient
proof to all America that we seek no po-
hucal suzerainty or selfish control
Not Hostile Rivals.
The moral is, that the states OF Amer
Sea are not hostile rivals, but cooper
Rting friends, and that their growing
sense of community of interest, alike in
matters political and in matters econom-
&c, is likely to give them a new signif-
canoe as factors in international affairs
and in the political history of the world.
1t presents them in a very deep and
true sense a unit in world affairs, spir-
itual partners, standing together because
thinking together, quick with common
sympathies and common ideals. Separat-
ed, they are subject to all the cross cur
rents of the confused politics of a world
of hostile rivalries; united in spirit and
purpose they cannot be disappointed of
their peaceful destiny.
This is Pan-Americanism. 1t has none
of the spirit of empire in it, 1t is the en-
bOdiment, the effectual embodiment of
the spirit Of law and independence and
liberty and mutual service.
There is, venture to point out, an espe-
eial significance just now attaching to
this whole matter of drawing the Amer
fcas together in bonds of honorable part
neTship and mutual advantage because of
the economic establishments which the
hi
next generation, when peace shall have
al last resumed its healthful tasks. In
the performance of these tasks I believe
the Americas to be destined to play their
parts together 1 am interested to fix
your attention on this prospect now be-
cause unless you take it within your
view and permit the full significance of
st to command your thought I cannot
find the right light in which to set forth
the particular matter that lies at the
very front of my whole thought as I adj
dress you today. I mean national de-
tense.
Might to Maintain Right.
Out of such thoughts grow all our poll
cies. We regard war merely as a means
of asserting the rights of a people against
aggression. And we are as fiercely jeal-
Gus of coercive or dictatoriaf power with
3n our own nation as of aggression from
ing army except for uses which are as
necessary in times of peace as in times
of war; and we shall always see to it
that our military peace establishment is
no longer than is actually and continuous
3y needed for the uses of days in which
no enemies move against US. But we
do believe in a body of free citizens ready
and sufficient to take care of themselves
and of the governments which they have
set up to serve them. In our constitutions
themselves we have commanded that 1.-The
right of the people to keep and bear
arms shall not be infringed," and our
confidence has been that our safety in
times Of danger would lie In the rising of
the nation to take care of itself. the
farmers rose at Lexington.
But war has never 3een a mere matter
of men and guns. 1t is a thing OF disci-
pIined might If our citizens are ever to
fight effectively upon a sudden summons,
they must know how modern fighting is
done, and what to do when the summons
comes to render themselves Immediately
available and Immediately effective. And
the government must be their servant in
this matter. must supply them with the
training they need to take care of them
selves and of It. The military arm of their
government, which they will not allow to
xdiysct them, they may properly use to
SerTe them and make their independence
Secure-and not their own independence
merely but the rights also of those with
whom they have made common cause.
should they also be put in jeopardy.
They must be fitted to play the great
yole in the world. and particularly in this
hemisphere for which they are quail
fed by principle and by chastened ambi-
sion to play.
It Is with these ideals in mind that the
plans of the department of war for more
adequate national defense were conceived
which will be laid before you. and which
] urge you to sanction and put into eff
feet as soon as they can be properly scru-
tinized and discussed. They seem to me
the essential first steps. and they seem
10 me for the present sufficient.
They contemplate an increase of the
standing force of the regular army from