The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-08-08
NATIONS VITAL NEEDS FOR
BETTER DEFENCES DISCUSSED
n, IINDLEY VI. GARRISON,


ceratiye. I cannot understand the at
titude Of any unprecedented. reasoning
mind that does not realize this imper-
alive necessity.
In all other relations of life we
estimate the distinction between wis.,
dom and folly with respect to the
exercise Of precaution and foresight,
and. from the time OF the wise and
foolish virgins of the Scripture. on
denim those who fail to give fore
thought.
No one thinks of excusing the fool
fish virgins for failure to put oil in
their lamps upon the ground that
there was little likelihood they would
need light: or upon the ground that
II they did need II. 1t would be time
enough then TO consider the means OF
getting IL. In a matter SO easily
brought home to even a Juvenile mind
It was easy 10 impress the lesson. We
all know that darkness is inevitable
and that need for a light in that dark
ness may be Imperative: and that un-
less precautions have been taken so
that a light nay be obtained, the ire
trievable may happen.
The most abundant material for
making light is of no avail unless II
mas oeen y. - -
ZION hep' ~ man" !" US" :" ~ '"
need.
Just so in the matter OF nationai
defence. We nave something IKE
5000 years OF recorded history from
which to draw our lessons. we KNOW
that from the individual to the ma
ton, whatever Is worth whlle Is not
only obtained by nut can
only be retained by precautions or
preparations to truggie against the
aggressive forces that VIII seek 10
take II from you.
In no other matter does the wise
man count ~precaution or preparation
against what may he expected as lost
nor seek to justify himself FOR faiilnS
30 take proper forethought by trusting
TO chance. lie realizes that IL ~ n
customary obligation to take proper
precautions TO protect that which nc
cherishes jus, as much as it is to pro-
vide immediate necessities.
Those, of course, who hoid religious
ctnvictions asainst the use OF force
for any purpose must follow those
convictions. and admittedly do not In
' '''-~
one who is mo- thus actuated can look
the facts of life n history squarely
In the face and fail to see the alb
solute necessity from every STANDPOINT
the necessity for a nation ia TAXI
proper precautions with respect 10
Its own defencc-I cannot conceive.
To contend in the face OF fac's
that war may not come 10 my nation
&c too rtiprila In rnullrp consideration
To contend that IL II does come the
nation is not im"measurably safer II IL
has taken proper precautions woiln
be impossible for a sane mind TO suH-
gesi. II war nay come even to the
most unaggressive nation on earth
and II the nation, when war does
come, imperatively requires That
which precaution should have pro-
vided. how can there be two sides TO
the question?
The truth OF The matter Is that the
real reason which lies back OF much
objection to military precaution Is a
distrust with respect to its use. !
think II is a fearful indictment OF
the American people to say that In
the face OF every reason making Tor
preparedness for trouble We should
go Wv" NfAoo e''A
ton because we might misuse our
strength.
What about other nations that are
strong? Is there no danger OF their
misusing heir strength against us?
What a curious state of mind 1t Is
which must admit that all things con-
sidered in the light of reason call i'm
peratively for II course or acton
u.hiOh hnurntnr ShnttlI mt no tlknn
because OF prejudice or fear; the rear
being the misuse of trained strength.
Like every other great national
problem. there is only n way to
go about solving II. We should fear
lessly look the facts squarely in the
face. We should apply unprecedented
reason thereto. We should analyZe
the lessons OF history anC consider
the conditions existing to-day. And
then we should do what reason and
the ordinary dictates of prudence de-
mand.
Nothing of value Is ever gained by
ignoring the truth by self-delusion or
by substituting pleasant fancies FOR
unpleasing facts. When the people OF
this country concentrate their atten-
ton upon this subject and realize
as they must do, that the objections
10 wise, reasonable, adequate military
precautions are without substance
and TO omit doing that which ought