The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1915-10-01

tion' oh7 uedus tue experience or the
, methods sufficiently developed and pro
vided to make proper defense against
foreign foe or attack. We must pro.
vide all that is necessary for our pro
lection and we must DO it soon and
completely.
The highly developed modern ciyili.
zation is liable, if not likely, to break
down in other countries. The immense
Indebtedness of foreign lands with its
tremendous currert burdens is almost
sure TO bring about a revolution, if not
many national revolutions. The inter.
est burden is likely to prove too great
for the backs of some of the foreign
countries.
That there will be trouble abroad.
even after treaty of peace betwe, n
the warning nations is secured. seems
most probable. We cannot afford to
take the risk of not being prepar ed to
defend ourselves and our rights.
If we make the effort to capture the
markets of the world, as the opportu.
nifty now offers, we must be ready to
defend and protect the rights of our
citizens doing business abroad aud their
property. We might well begin with
Mexico. Our business aud financial
interests cannot be expected to greatly
increase our trade with other nations
unless they can feel that our Govern.
ment will prevent the wsnton seizure
and destruction of their property in
terests as we'll as their agents and EN-.
ployes in other lands.
1t is not our duty to reform tn Q
whole world, but it is our duty to guar.
antee to American citizens whom we
invite to engage in foreign trade and
undertakings that 80 long as they fol-
low peaceful and legitimate pursuits
they will receive the attention and
support of the American Government
and the protection of the American flag.
But we must not become military
mad. Probably there is no danger of
that. Our form of government and our
citizenship are not adapted to military
propaganda. We may want to conquer
the trade of the world, but we do not
want to conquer other nations or take
other lands. And while we should be
amply prepared to defend our country
aud our rights at home and abroad, we
have no desire TO wage war of force
against any people.
We must not forget, while providing
means for extending our foreign com.
merce and protecting ourselves from
possible foreign aggression, that it is
equally important to make use of all
our natural dvantages and resources
at home. The Government in many
ways and by scientific methods can aid
in national development. 1t can bring
more land under cultivation by drain
age and irrigation, it can increase the
productivity of the land now cultivated
by experimental methods and teaching
improved ways, it can do many things
and aid in many ways which will add
to the ease of transportation, to the use
of the natural resources, to the saving
of that which is now waste and lost,
and it can increase generally by wise
legislation and administration the
growth of our prosperity.
There is now waging in Europe the
fiercest and most appalling conflict
which the history of the human race
records. What it's final consequences
may be no one can confidently predict,
for which ever side wins, the result on
civilization and mankind is likely to be
much the same. The most important
effects OF the war will come after peace
has been declared and will be upon civ
ilzation itself and the form of govern.
ments. And those effects are likely to
be much the same which ever side wins
Let us keep out of that war. Let us
remain neutral. 1t ia not our duty to
civlize or govern Europe. 1t is our
duty to act for tho lasting best inter
ests Of our own country. Those inter
ests will be subserved by our remaining |
an onlooker. It il difficult for men TO |
restrain their passions when excited by |
current events, but we should remain |
calm, ii posi- ole, and at peace in any !
event in this terrific struggle.
The war over these may last for many |
years off and on before the nations are
sufficiently exhausted 70 produce n last
ing peace. We will have manv temp.
tations to take sides and to take part,
but our duty to civilizatio to our.
selves, to posterity, demands that we
neutral and keep out of it.
Our highest duty is to America. We
should u,e every effort to advance the
interests of our own country and our
own people, with a single eye for the
of American prosperity
American civilization, American intel
ligence, American morality.
do not wish to come into the State
of Missouri to speak even before par
tisan organization without paying my
tribute to her most distinguished citi.
,an