Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1916-06-07
"Higher Preparedness"


The following is an abstract of the
address at Glover on Decoration day
by Ozora S. Davis:
The United States as a political unit |
stand today at more critical point
in their history than any time since
the colonies achieved independence.
This is not on account Of the threat OF
any organized military foe. 1t is due
to the conjunction of events that has
thrown US into the midst of national
and international responsibilities which
we have not chosen but which we
must meet with all our energies.
Therefore it is fitting that we should
consider 1.-The Higher Preparedness.
First let us look at some of the
internal and external problems of
America today. There is the question
of industrial democracy. We won our
sense, in the Revolution. We always
have had the right to think and speak
freely-too freely, perhaps. But we
have not yet won our freedom in in
dustry. The factory system, the enor-
nous aggregations of capital and
wealth, the wage system and the call
for industrial democracy. all thrust
upon us a problem of trem endous slgnl-
fcance. Then we face the race ques
ton in its two-fold aspect-the black
man in the South and the yellow man
on the Pacific coast. Because both
these are far distant from this shell
tered valley, do not think that the
problems are not intensely urgent.
Externally we have to reckon with the
i teal of PaD-Americanism as it grows
out Of the Monroe Doctrine, which
must mean either something or nothing
within the next few years. South
America is often called the Continent
of Opportunity and the Latin American
republics look to US for guidance and
leadership, while they are alert, self
conscious and growing. Our program
must be determined by the highest
ideals Of justice and responsibility if
we are to carry our part in the devel-
opment of the Pan American move
ment. Finally, we face the RESPONSE
bilities of a new international re-
sponsibility. The guns Of Admiral
Dewey at Manila bay ushered in a
new era for the United States. She
may still seek to avoid eptangling
alliances with the nations of the world ;
but her international responsibility
she cannot shirk. America will prob
ably take her place incre asingly with
the nations as world-power. This
means greater tasks and tests than
ever before.
How are we to be prepared to meet
these tests? The first thought that
comes to our minds instinctively is in
the terms of physical force. We must
have armies and navies for defensive
warfare always and for offensive
,.fa yrha Tho wisdom
of ply preparedness is apparent
our only debate is concerning the
amount of military and naval prepara-
ton which is expedient. There is q
kind of preparedness which makes wal
inevitable. Against this we must
strive. There is preparedness which
is expressed in adequate police meas
ures. For this we must work.
; But our ideals are more important
that our arsenals. If the dominant
note in our ideals is good will rather
than physical force we need have nc
fear for our future. The position may
seem to be too sentimental; but we
l must dare to hold it: good will is
t stronger than physical force; love anC
/ justice win at last where suspicion anC
J hatred fail. American diplomacy al
l expressed by John Hay and Elihu Roo
, has stood for honesty and good will
we must not lose these conquerins
r qualities from our statecraft.
, Still more important than our armie
: and our ideals are our personal leaders
/ This present unspeakable war is du'
primarily to the fact that great state
= have been developed to such proper
tons that no statesmen have beer
2 found great enough to control them
= The human mind and moral sense ant
= spiritual capacity are not noble enough
I to manage the empires of Europe
= Twenty men great enough to hav
= understood the total situation mign
s. have saved the world from this las
monstrous folly of war. America
problem is the finding of leaders Xix
Washington and Lincoln to guide he
destiny in the next generation. The
must have Lncoln's insight, an
patience and deathless good will. VIVA
kind of men are we training in GU
i public schools. in our colleges and j
: practical life everywhere? Have the
: the native gifts of the great Lincoln
r Faith in the common people, kindnes
: that can endure denial and defeat an
still keep on loving, readiness to de
fend the truth to the last ditch, thes
j are some of the qualities which mus
l be trained into the leaders of tn
/ future Then America will be ready
r not because she floats more super
D dreadnauahts than any other nation bu
because her ideals are high and he
leaders clear-visioned. Then she vii
: not be compelled to conquer othe
L peoples in order to serve them. bu
l. she will be great through what sh
l. gains and gives, and freedom will b
n safe in her shielding care.