Askov American., 1915-12-09
President Wilson Pleads for Pre-
paredness Against Foes
Abroad and Within.
MESSAGE READ TO CONGRESS
Aaruer Army and Navy Urged
TraInsd citixenry the Nation's
0rsatest Defense Disioysi
Acts of Foreign Born clti.
xsns acorcd--No Fear
81 War.

i
Washington, Dee. Tat Joint session
r. the house and senate the president to-
baay delivered his annual message. He
batd In part ~ follows:
since last had tho privilege Of ad-
dressing YOU on the state Of the Union
Ma war Of nations on the other side Of
HIS ssA, which had then only begun to
lniscloss its portentous proportions. has
hxtsnded III threatening and ainister scope
Antii Ii haa swept within Its flame some
bOrtiOu OF svery quarter OF the globe, not
excepting our hemisphere. has altered the
whole face OF international Affairs. and
now presents h prospect OF reurganiza-
Mon and reconstruction such ~ states
mem and peoples have never been called
6pcn 10 attempt before.
We have stood apart, studiously neutral
IN was our manifest duty 70 do 30. In
khs day of readtustment and recupcra-
hion We earnestly hope and believe that
jWo can b. Of infinite service.
In this neutraiity, to which they were
hidden not only BY their separate life and
their hAbltual detachment from the poli-
1ics of Europe but also by clear per-
ksption OF international duty. the states
b8 America have become conscious OF q
new and moro vital community OF Inter-
bet and moral partnership In affairs. moro
hleariy conscious OF the many common
bympathiss and interests and duties which
hid them stand together
We have been put 10 the test In the case
70 Mexico, and we have stood tho test
whether we have benefited Mexico by
Ahe course We have pursued remains to
~ seen. Her fortunes are In her own
hands. hut we have at least proved that
Ne will not take advantage OF her In her
nintre&s and undertake 10 impose upon
Der m order and government OF our own
Dhoosins.
Ne will not coercs her; and our course
with regard to her ought to be sufficient
proof 10 ali America that we seek no po-
6ticai sussrainty or seifish control
Not Hostile Rivals.
The moral ID, that the states OF Amer
eca are not hostile rivals. but cooper
IAtinS friends. and that their growing
ln9nsa cf community OF interest, alike In
matters political and In matters eeonom-
-. y likely 10 give them . new sixnifi-
sancs - factors In international AFFAIRS
md In the political history OF the world.
Ht presents them m In . very deep and
lSrue sense unit In world affairs. sptr.
htuAl partners. standing together because
nhinking together. quick with common
lnympathisa and common ideals. Separat-
-, they are subject 10 all the cross cur
rents Of this confused politics OF a world
~ hostile rivalries; united In spirit and
purpose they cannot bs disappointed OF
hhsir peaceful destiny.
This Il PAn-Americanism II has none
- the spirit of empire In II. II ID the en-
AOdiment the sftectual embodiment. OF
She oplrit OF law and Independence and
1bsrty and mutual service,
There n. I venture to point out. an esps-
elal Significance Just now attaching to
llhie whole matter OF drawing the Amer
NAw s.$ la
nership and mutual advantage because OF
- economic readjustments which the
,wOs1d must inevitably witness within the
0oxt generation. when peace shall have
~ last resumed its heaithfui tasks, In
0he performance Of these tasks believe
Ne Americas TO BE- destined to play their
parts together. I am interested to Ak
ycNr attention on this prospect now be-
4Aune nnfess you take Il within your
N1aw and permit the full Significance OF
n - command your thought ! cannot
,uMa the right light In which to set forth
l4he particular matter that lies at the
fvsry front of my whole thought ~ I Ad-
ereas you today. I mean national de-
1eaeA
No one who really comprehends the
npirit cf the great people Cor whom we
nre appointed to speak can fail to per-
oaive that thelr passion ID for peace. their
4enius hast sliaplayed In the practice OF
hhe arts Of peace. Great demoeracies are
not bsiliuerent. They do not sock or de-
sire war. Their thought II OF Individual
liberty and Of tho free labor that supports
Ilifs and the uncensored thought that
Suickens Il. Conquest and dominion are
not In our reckoning. or agreeable to our
Drtnciplcs. Hut just because we demand
|unrnoiested development and the nndis-
Aurbed government OF our own lives upon
sur own principles Of right and liberty.
Ne resent. from whatever quarter II may
eome the aggression we ourselves will not
practice. We Insist upon security In
prosecuting eur self-chossn lines OF ma
6onaI development. We do more than
that. We demand II also for others We
~ mot confine our enthusiasm for indi.
~iduAl liberty and free national develop
nnAnt 70 the Incidents and movements Of
aIIairs which AFFECT only ourselves, We
1seA II wherever there In people that
Independence and right From tho first
- have made common cause with all
naFtinAns Of liberty ON this side OF the
-. and have deemed II m important
1AAt our nsighbors should be free from
IN outside domination ~ that We our
eslvss should be. have Get America aside
- whole tor the uses OF independent
AAtaOns ana political freemcn.
Might 10 Maintain Right.
b Out Of such thoughts grow all cur poll
aaee- We regard war merely AZ = means
- asserting the rights Of . people against
aggression And We are ~ ncrcely 1~ni
pus of cosrctvs or dtotatorial power with
- our own nation ~ OF aggression from
11thout We will not maintain . stand
ong army except for uacs which are ai
nscesssry In times Of peace - In time'
- war; and We shall always ses 10 I
ehAa cur military peace establishment i
- lenEsr than ID actually and continuous
u Eaeded for the uses OF days In whicl
~ enamtes move against IN. Hut ~
- hslievs In 3 bcay OF free citizens read.
- sual3ctent 70 take care Of thcmselve
- " the governments which they hAs
- mp 20 serve them. In our constitntssn
nAsnselvss W have commanded that 18th
ea9At of ths people 10 keep and bea
asma shall not - infringed." and GU
00nadence has hesn that our safety
y elnAs Of danger would lie In the rising q
- nation 10 take care OF ITSELF. ~ III
ASMefs rose ct Lexington.
1ut war has never been i mere matte
- nsa ana guns. X ID thing Of disc
onaA might ~ our cItisens are ever /
MUht effoctivsly upon sudden summon
Nhey nnunt know how modern nghtinx
1unA. And what 10 do when the summon
e0Snes to render themselves irnmediatel
aysilabis and Immediately effective An