The Clayton news. (Clayton, N.M.) 19??-1954, 1915-12-11
PREPAREDNESS IS PLEA
IN WILSON'S MESSAGE
President Asks Congress for Mer-
chant Marine. Takes Shot at
Un-American Crowd.


President Wilson's message TO
congress Tuesday is characterized
by the press of all parties as the
most interesting of his documents
and full of timely and pertinent
suggestions. That he struck the
popular keynote in his advOcation
of remedies for the many problems
now confronting the government is
evidenced by the comment of al
most the entire American press.
His conception of Pan-American-
ism" as set forth in the message is
broad and inspiring" says the Santa
Fe New Mexican editOrially, his
plea for preparedness is sensible,
logical and business-like; his state
ments as to the need of a merchant
marine are statements whose truth
and pertinence are self-evident to
every thinking citizen; his sugges-
tions as to revenue are reasonable.
Notwithstanding the restrained and
level-headed tone of the message, the
president, in his reference to citi-
zens of foreign birth and foreigners
in this country who have brought
disgrace upon our nationalism by
their underhanded and unpatriOtic
efforts in behalf of foreign sOver-
eighties, displays more feeling than
in any previous message. The eN-
pressions of indignation on the part
of the president, at these instances
of disloyalty and treason, will strike
an answering chord in the heart Of
every patriotic American and he will
have the approval of his country
in whatever measures are taken to
enable the hand of our power to
close over these undesirable aliens.
President Wilson's arraignment of
those who calling themselves Am
orleans have so far forgotten them
selves and their honor as citizens
as TO put their passionate sympathy
with one or the other side in the
great conflict in Europe above their
regard for the peace and dignity of
the United States is a stinging one,
and a deserved one and one more
than justified by present develop
ments in the exposure of Teutonic
plots against the peace and dignity
Of this country.
1T seems to us that the Presidents
plea for a body of citizens who will
be able when emergency arrives, to
defend their country efficiently and
promptly, is based upon the most
conspicuous common sense. His
presentation of the real American
idea of preparedness, free from ev-
cry taint of imperialistic ambition
or desire for conquest or dominion,
is admirable. We believe the fol-
lowing paragraph sums up we'll this
American spirit:
"'No one who really comprehends
the spirit of the great people for
whom we are appointed 10 speak
can fail to perceive that their pas
sion is for peace, their genius best
displayed in the practice of the arts
of peace. Great democracies are
not belligerent. They do not desire
or seek war. Their thought is of
individual liberty and of the free
labor that supports life and the un-
censored thought that quickens il.
Conquest and dominion are not in
our reckoning, or agreeable 10 our
principles. But just because we de-
mand unmolested development and
the undisturbed government Of our
lives upon our own principles OF
right and liberty, we resent from
whatever quarter II may come, the
aggression we ourselves will not
practice, We insist upon security
In prosecuting our self-ehosen lines
of national development. We do
more than that We demand II also
for others"
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