The Benson signal., 1915-11-13

navy of the United States is already
very great and efficient force. Not
rapidly, but slowly, with careful attcn-
ton, our naval force has been devel-
oped until the navy of the United
States stands recognized as one of the
ern time.
In the fulfillment of the program /
propose | shall ask for the hearty sup
port of the country, of the rank and
of political opinion.
'For my position in this important
matter is different from that of the
private individual who is free to speak
his own thoughts and to risk his own
opinions in this matter.
"The only thing within our borders
that has given us grave concern in ie-
cent months has been that voices have
been raised in America processing to
be the voices of Americans which
were not indeed and in truth Ameri-
can, but which spoke alien sympathas,
which came from men who loved other
countries better than they loved Amer
lea, men who were partlsans of other
causes than that of America and had
forgotten that their chief and only
allegiance was to the great govern
ment under which they live.
"These voices have not been many,
but they have been very loud and very
clamorous. They have proceeded from
few who were bitter and who were
grievously misled.
"These men who speak alien sylnpa-
thies are the spokesmen of small
groups whom it is high time that the
nation should call to reckoning.
"The chief thing necessary in Amer
lea in order that she should let all the
world know that she is prepared to
maintain her own great position is
that the real voice Of the nation
should sound forth Enthusiastically and
in majestic volume, in the deep uni
son of common, unhesitating ma.
tional feeling.
81 do not doubt that upon the first
occasion, upon the first opportunity
upon the first definite challenge, that
voice will speak forth in tones which
no man can doubt and with commands
which no man dare gainsay or resist.
MAY not say, while I am speaking
of this, that there is another danger
that we should guard against? We
should rebuke, not only manifestations
of racial feeling here in America
where there should be none, but also
every manifestation of religious and
sectarian antagonism.
''It does not become America that
within her borders, where every man
is free to follow the dictates of his
conscience and worship God as he
pleases, men should raise the cry OF
church against church.
''To do that is to strike at the very
spirit and heart of America. We are
a God-fearing people. We agree to
differ about methods of worship, but
we are united in believing in divine
providence and in worshiping the God
of nations.
VIC o4 CAO Cuo1uplOuS VI ICllSlOuS
right here and everywhere that it
may be our privilege to give it our
countenance and support The gov
ernment is conscious of the obliga-
tion and the nation is conscious of
the obligation. Let no man create di-
visions where there are none.
Here is the nation God has build
ed by our hands. What shall we do
with it? Who is there who does not
stand ready at all times to act in her
behalf in spirit of devoted and dis
interested patriotism? We are yet
only in the youth and first conscious
ness of our power.
"The day of our country's life is
still but in it's fresh morning. Let us
lift our eyes to the great tracts of
life yet to be conquered in the inter
ests of righteous peace.
"Come, let us renew our allegiance
to America, conserve her strength in
it's purity, make her chief among
those who serve mankind, self-rever-
enced, self-commanded mistress of all
forces of quiet counsel, strong above
all others in goodwill and the might
of invincible justice and right"