West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1915-11-11

year but looking well into the future
and planning for a definite consum-
nation. We can and should profit I'm
all that we do by the experience and
example that have been made obvious
to us by the military and naval ey-
ents OF the actual present. IL is not
merely matter OF building battle
ships and cruisers and submarines.
but also matter OF making sure that
we shall have the adequate equipment
OF men and munitions and supplies for
the vessels we build and intend TO
build. Part OF our problem is the
problem OF what l may call the mobi-
lization of the resources OF the ma
ton at the proper time IL IL should
ever be necessary to mobilize them for
national defense. We shall study eff
cheney and adequate equipment as
carefully as we shall study the num-
Der and size of our ships and l be-
lieve that the plans already I'm part
made public by the Navy Department
are plans which the whole nation can
approve with rational enthusiasm.
No thoughtful man feels any panic
haste I'm this matter The country is
not threatened from any quarter. She
stands in friendly relations with all
the world. Her resources are known
and her self-respect and her capacity
TO care for her own citizens and her
own rights. There is no fear among
us. Under the new world conditions
we have become thoughtful OF the
things which all reasonable men CON
slider necessary for security and self
defense on the part OF every nation
confronted with the great enterprise
of human liberty and independence.
That is all.
Is the plan we propose sane and
reasonable and suited TO the need of
the hour? Does IL not conform to the
ancient traditions OF America Has
any better plan been proposed than
this program that we now place be-
fore the country? In il there is no
pride OF opinion. But / am not so
much interested in program as | am
IN safeguarding at every cost the good
faith and honor of the country. II
men differ with me in this vital matter
| shall ask them to make IL clear how
far and I'm what way they are inter
ested in making the permanent inter
ests of the country safe against dis
turbance.
In the fulfillment of the program |
propose shall ask for the hearty sup
port of the country of the rank and
hle of America. OF men OF all shades
OF political opinion. For my position
in this important matter is different
from that Of the private individual
who is free to speak his own thoughts
and to risk his own opinions i'm this
matter. We are here dealing with
things that are vital TO the life of
America itself. In doing this | have
tried TO purge my heart OF all personal
and selfish motives. For the time be-
ing, l speak as the trustee and guar
dian OF nations rights, charged with
the duty OF speaking for that nation
in matters involving her sovereignty
"a nation too big and generous to be
exacting and yet courageous enough
TO defend its rights and the liberties
OF Its people wherever assailed or in
vaded. ! would not feel that / was
discharging the solemn obligation
owe the country were / not TO speak
In terms of the deepest solemnity of
the urgency and necessity OF prepar-
ing ourselves to guard and protect the
rights and privileges OF our people.
our sacred heritage OF the fathers who
struggled to make up an independent
nation.
The only thing within our own bor-
ders that has given us grave concern
in recent months has been that voices
have been raised I'm America profess
ing TO be the voices OF Americans
which were not indeed I'm truth Ameri-
can but which spoke alien sympa-
thies. which came from men who low
loved America. men who we're parti-
sans OF other causes than that OF
America and had forgotten that their
chief and only allegiance was to the
great government under which they
live. These voices have not been
many, but they have been very loud
and very clamorous They have pro-
ceeded from a few who we're bitter and
who were previously mlsled Ameri-
ca has not opened its doors In vain 20
men and women out OF other nations.
The vast majority OF those who have
come to take advantage OF the hos
Ditality have united their spirits with
hers as well as their fortunes. These
men who speak alien sympathies are
not theiur spOkesmen but are the
spokesmen Of small groups whom II Is
high time that the nation should call
20 reckoning. The chief thing nee
essary In America IN order that she
should let all the world know that
she is prepared 10 maintain her own
great position II that the real voice
Of the nation should sound forth un-
mistakably and IN majestic volume. in
the deep unison Of a common. unhesi-
tating national feeling do not
doubt that upon the first occasion,
upon the first opportunity. upon the
first definite challenge. that voice will
speak forth in tones which no man
can doubt and with commands which
no man dare gainsay or resist