Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1915-12-10

Washington. Dec. 7.-President Wilson
ioday delivered his annua message at a
loint session OF the two houses OF con-
yTess. He said In part:
Since / last had the privilege OF adj
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 its portentous proportions, has
extended Its threatening and sinister scope
antl II 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 Ieorganiza-
lion and reconstruction such as states
men and peoples have never been called
apon to attempt before.
We have stood apart, studiously neutral.
Il was our manifest duty to do SO. In
the day OF readjustment and recupera-
lion we earnestly hope and believe that
We can be Of infinite service.
In this neutrality, to which they were
bidden not only by their separate life and
their habitual detachment from the poll
lics OF Europe but also by a clear per-
feptiOn Of International duty, the states
II America have become conscious OF a
new and more vital community Of inter-
tst and moral partnership In AFFAIRS, more
slearly conscious OF the many common
Iympathies and interests and duties which
bid them stand together.
we nave Deen put 10 lle test IN lhe case
u Mexico, and we have stood the test.
Whether we nave benefited Mexico by
The course we ave pursued remains to
be seen. Her fortunes are in her own
hands. But we have at least proved that
we win 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 befriend Mexico. but
we will not coeroe her; and our course
with regard to her ought to be sufficient
proof to all America that we seek no po-
htical suzerainty or selfish control.
Not Hostile Rivals.
The moral is, that the states OF Amer
lea are not hostile rivals, but cooper
Rting friends, and that their growing
sense OF community of interest, alike in
matters political and in matters econom-
lc. is likely to give them a new signih-
canoe as factors in international affairs
and in the political history OF the world.
II presents them as in a very deep and
true sense a unit in world affairs, spir-
ltual partners, standing together because
thinking together. quick with common
~Tympathies and common ideals. Separat-
ed, they are subject to all the cross cur
rents of the confused politics Of a world
Of hostile rivalries; united in spirit and
purpose they oannot be disappointed OF
their peaceful destiny.
This Is Pan-Americanism. 1t has none
Of the spirit of empire in it. 1t Is the EN-
bodiment, the enectual embodiment, of
the spirit of law and Independence and
liberty and mutual service.
There is, I 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 readjustments 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 | believe
the Americas to be destined to play theiI
parts together. 1 am interested to fix
your attention on this prospect now be-
cause unless you take 1t within your
view and permit the full significance OF
It to command your thought I cannot
find the right light in which to set fortf
the particular matter that lies at the
very front OF my whole thought as 1 ad
dress you today. l mean national de-
tense.
Might TO Maintain Right.
Out Of such thoughts grow all our poll
cies. We regard war merely as a mean
Of asserting the rights of a people agains
aggression. And we are as iercely Jeal
Gus of c~oercive 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 a
necessary in times OF peace as in time
of war; and we shall always see to ]
that our military peace establishment !
no longer than is actually and continuous
~ needed for the uses Of days in whic
no enemies move against us. But W
do believe in a body of free citizens read
and sufficient to take care Of themselve
and of the governments which they hav
set up to serve them. In our constitution
NknN EEL
right of the people to keep and bea
arms shall not be ~infringed," and OF
confidence has been that our safety
times of danger would lie In the rising {
the nation to a care Of itself, as n
farmers rose at Lexington.
But war has never been q mere matte
OF men and guns. 1t is a thing of disc
plined might. II our citizens are ever
hght effectively upon a sudden summon
they must know how modern fighting
done, and wha to do when the summon
comes TO render themselves Immediate
available and Immediately effective. Al
the government must be their servant
this matter. must supply them with q
training they need to a care OF Their
selves and OF II. The military arm OF the
government, which they win not allow
direct them, they may properly use
serve them n make their Independent
secure-and not their own Independent
merely but the rights also OF those wi
whom they have made common caus
should they also be put in leopard
They must be fitted to play the gre
role In the world. and particularly in III
hemisphere, for which they are qua
fed by principle and by chastened ami
ton 10 play.
II Is with these ideals in mind that I
plans OF the department Of war for mo
adequate national defense were conceiv
which will be laid before you, n Will.
] urge you to sanction and put into {
feet as soon as they can be properly scr
tinized and discussed. They seem to 7
the essential first steps. and they see
20 me for the present SUFFICIENT.
They contemplate an increase OF I
standing force OF the regular army fro