Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1915-12-07
sixty.F Fourth Session Of the National
Legislature Now in Work
ing Order at Wash
II 'ington.
STRONG FOR PREPAREDNESS
A Very Able State Paper From the
Nations Chief Executives
Point Of view.

Washington, Dec. 8.-The joint
session of the senate and house con-
vened today to listen to President
Wilson's annual message. The gal
leries were filled and much interest
was manifest in what the nations
head might say upon the various is
sues Of the day. The president de-
voted most of his message to consid-
Grafton OF national preparedness
and boldly threw down the gauntlet
to the opposition. Following is o
review Of the document:
Gentlemen OF the Congress-Since !
last had the privilege Of addressing
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 extend
ed its threatening and sinister scope
until 1t has swept within its fame
some portion OF every quarter Of the
globe, not excepting our own hemi-
sphere, has altered the whole face Of
international affairs, and now presents
a prospect OF reorganization and re-
construction such as statesmen and
peoples have never been called upon
to attempt before.
The president tells how this country
practiced neutrality and declares that
he hopes that when the time comes
for readjustment and recuperation this
country will be Of infinite service. Re-
ferring to Central and South American
problems, the president declares that
we should retain undated the spirit
which has nspired US throughout the
whole life Of our government and
wklch was SO frankly put into words
by President Monroe.
We have been put to the test in the
case Of Mexico, and w have stood the
test. Whether we have benefited Mex
leo by the course we have pursued re-
mains to be seen. Her fortunes are in
her own hands. But we have at least
proved that we will not take advan-
tage Of her In her distress and under
take to impose upon her an order and
government Of our own choosing. Lib
erty is often fierce and intractable
thing, to which no bounds can be ret
and to which no bounds Of few
mems choosing ought ever to be set.
Every American who has drunk at
! the true fountains Of principle and trn-
Hdition must subscribe without reserva-
/ ton to the high doctrine OF the Viz
! ginia bill Of rights, which In the great
!, days In which our government was set
up was everywhere, among us accept
ed az the creed OF free men. That doc
trine Is, "That government ID or ought
to be instituted for the common bcne-
fit, protection and security of the peo-
pie, nation or community; that "of
all the various modes and forms OF
government, that Is the best which Is
capable Of producing the greatest de-
gree Of happiness and safety and IS
most efectually secured against the
danger of administration, and that
when any government shall be found
inadequate or contrary to these pur-
poses majority Of the community
hath an indubitable, inalienable and
indefeasible right to reform, alter or
abolish It In such manner a. shall be
Judged most conducive to the public
veal" We have unhesitatingiy APP
piled that heroic principle to the case
OF Mexico and now hopefully await
the rebirth Of the troubled republic.
which had SO much Of which to purge
itself and SO little sympathy from any
outside quarter in the radical but nec-
essary process. We will aid and be-
friend Mexico, but We WIN not coerce
her, and or course with regard to her
ought to be sumcient proof to all Amer
lea that we seek no political suxerainty
or selfish control