Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1915-12-10

washington, Dec. 7.-President Wilson
today delivered his annual message at n
joint session of the two houses OF con-
gress. He said In part:
Since / last had the privilege OF ad-
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 It's portentous proportions, has
extended It's threatening and sinister scope
until II has swept within It's flame some
portion of every quarter of the globe, not
excepting our hemisphere has altered the
whole face OF international affairs, and
now presents n 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
il was our manifest duty to do so. In
the day of readjustment and recupera-
ton 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 habitual detachment from the poll
ucs Of Europe but also by clear per-
. ception OF international duty, the states
of-.Anerica have become conscious of a
nav and more vital community OF inter-
esNahd NORA partnership in AFFAIRS, more
cleBVly conscious OF the many common
sympSthies and interests and duties which
bid ~ m stand together.
We Nave been put TO the test In the case
Of Mdxico, and we have stood the test.
Whether we have benefited Mexico by
the coutse we have pursued remains to
be seenl Her fortunes are In her own
hands But we have at least proved that
we will not take advantage OF her In her
distress bnd undertake to impose upon
her an Older and government OF our own
choosingJ
We will aid and befrend Mexico. but
we will mot coerce her; and our course
IA. L. Nl.la
proof TOT all America that we seek no po-
htical shzerainty or selfish control
Not Hostile Rivals.
The moral Is. that the states OF Amer
lea are not hostile rivals, but cooper
ating friends, and that their growing
sense of community OF interest, alike In
matters political and In matters econom
lc. Is likely TO give them new sgnifi-
cance as factors In international affairs
and In the political history OF the world.
II presents them In a very deep and
true sense a unit In world affairs spir
ituai 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 world
OF hostile rivalries: united In spirit and
purpose they cannot be disappointed of
their peaceful destiny.
This Is Pan-Americanism. IL has none
OF the spirit OF empire in II. II 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-
cial Significance just now attaching to
this whole matter OF drawing the Amer
lcas together In bonds of honorable part
nership and mutual advantage because OF
the economic establishments which the
world must inevitably witness within the
next generation, when peace shall have
at last resumed It's healthful tasks. In
the performance of these tasks l believe
the Americas to be destined to play their
parts together. l am Interested to fix
your attention on this prospect now be-
cause unless you take IL within your
view and permit the full significance OF
II to command your thought / cannot
find the right light In which to set forth
the particular matter that lies at the
very front of my whole thought as | ad-
dress you today. mean national de-
Tense.
Might TO Maintain Right.
out of such thoughts grow all our poll
cies. We regard war merely as means
OF asserting the rights OF n people against
aggression. And we are as fercely jeal-
Gus of coercive or dictatorial power with
In our own nation as OF aggression from
without. We will not maintain "A stand
ing army except for uses which are
necessary In times OF peace as In times
OF war: and we shall always see to II
that our military peace establishment is
no longer than In actually and continuous
ly needed for the uses OF days In which
no enemies move against us. But we
do believe i'm 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. as the
farmers rose at Lexington.
But war has never been a mere matter
of men and guns. II is thing OF discl-
plined might. IL 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 win not allow to
direct Them they may properly use 10
serve them and make their independence
secure-and not their own Independence
merely but the rights also OF those with
whom they nave made common cause.
thoulu they also DC put IN Jeopardy
They must be fitted TO play the great
role In the world. and particularly In this
hemisphere, for which they are quail
fed by principle and by chastened Ambi-
ton 20 play
II 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 10 sanction and put into ef-
feet soon they he nrOnRrlW
tinized and discussed They seem TO me
the essential first steps and they seem
20 me for the present sufficient
They contemplate an increase OF the
standing force of the regular army from