The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1915-12-10
President Wilson Pleads for Pre-
paredness Against Foes
Abroad and Within.
MESSAGE READ TO CONGRESS
Larger Army and Navy Urged
Trained Citlzenry the Nations
Greatest Defense - Disloyal
Acts Of Foreign-5orn citi-
zens Scored-No Fear
of War.

day delivered his annual message he
said In part as follows:
since | last had the privilege OF ad-
dressing you on the stale OF the Union
the war of nations on the other SIDE Oh
the sea- which had then only begun 10
disclose its portentous proportions mas
extended its threatening and sinister scope
until it 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 reOrganlza-
ton and reconstruction such as states
men and peoples have never been calleu
upon to attempt before
We have stood apart, studlously neutral
IL was our manifest duty 10 do so. In
the day of REIMBURSEMENT 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 lie ana
their habitual detachment from the po"-
tics OF Europe but also by clear per
ception of international duty, the states
of America have become conscious oil
new and more vital community OF inter
est and moral partnership in affairs, more
clearly conscious of the many common
sympathes and interests and duties when
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 10
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 befrend 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-
ltical suZerainty 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-
ic. Is likely to give them new signih-
canoe as factors In international anairs
and In the political history of the world
1t presents them as 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
VI HOSlllt IlNdlllSS hHiNCb III Si'A'' "h'
purpose they cannot be disappointed OF
their peaceful destiny,
This Is Pan-Amercanism. 1t has none
OF the spirit of empire In it. 1t Is the EN-
bodiment, the etectual 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 10
this whole matter OF drawing the Amer
iCas together In bonds of honorable part
! nership and mutual advantage because OF
the economic readjustments which the
world must inevitably witness within the
next generation, when peace shall have
at last resumed its healthful tasks. In
the performance Of these tasks | believe
| the Americas to be destined to play theiI
| parts together | am interested to fiN
your attention on this prospect now be-
| cause unless you take 1t within your
view and permit the full significance oil
| It to command your thought | cannot
| find the right light in which to set forth
| the particular matter that lies al the
very front of my whole thought as | ad'
dress you today. ! mean national de-
| Tense
10 one who really comprehends the
spirit of the great people for whom we
ARE appointed to speak can fail to per
| iclNt tnhl lNelT pdSSlOH ID LOT peace, Nllcll
geniuO best displayed in the practice Of
the arts OF peace. Great democracies are
not bellgerent. They do not seek or de
sire war. Their thought is Of individual
liberty and of the free labor that supports
| life and the unCensored thought tha
| QuiCkens II. Conquest and dominion arr
not In our reckoning, or agreeable to ou
principles. But Just because We demand
unm0lcsted development and the undis
turbed government of our own lives upOI
our own principles Of right and liberty
we resent. from whatever quarter II ma!
come. the aggression we ourselves will no
practice We insist upon security II
prosecuting our self-chosen lines of ma
tional development We do more thai
that We demand 1t also for others. w
10 not confne our enthusiasm for indi
viduul liberty and free national develop
ment 20 the Incidents and movements o
aifuirs which affect only ourselves w
feel IT wherever there is people tina
tries to walk in these difficult paths o
Independence and right. From the frs
we have made common cause with al
partisars Of liberty on this side OF tn
sea and have deemed 1t as importan
that our neighbors should be free fror
oil outside domination as that we our
selves should be; have set America asid
MS a whole for the uses of Independent
nations and political freemen.
Might to Maintain Right.
Out of such thoughts grow all our POI,
cies. We regard war merely as a mean
of asserting the rights of a people agains
aggression, And we are as hercely jea
Gus Of coerclve or dictatorial power will
in our own nation as of aggression frol
without. We will not maintain a stanC
ing army except for uses which are
necessary In times OF peace as In time
h Of war; and we shall always see to
that our military peace establishment
no longer than is actually and continuous
ly needed for the uses of days in whiC
no enemies move against us. But v
do believe in body OF free citizens read
and sufficient to take care of themselv,
and Of the governments which they ha,
set up to serve them. In our constitution
themselves we have commanded that I'll
right of the people to keep and bel
, arms shall not be infringed," and o,
> confidence has been that our safety
times OF danger would lie in the rising
the nation TO take care of itself, as Il
farmers rose at Lexington.
But war has never been a mere matt
OF men and guns. II is a thing OF dis,
plined might. II our citizens are ever
hght effectively upon a sudden summon
they must know how modern ighting