Semi-weekly herald., 1916-06-01
ROOSEVELT GREETED, BY
CHEERING MULTITUDE

KANSAS CITY, Mo-, May 3d.
Ex-President Theodore Roosevelt was
greeted here today by thousands of
people who came from all parts of
the Mississippi and Missouri valleys
to hear him speak to the veterans
Of the Civil war.
Applause after applause greeted
mis- many pointed remarks. He was
at his best and told his audience that
he felt that he had message for
hem.
He said "My message is a mes
age to all Americans. In thanking
al the organizations whose invita-
lion have accepted know that none
If you viii object to my putting first
the Grand Army of the Republic and
he Confederate veterans. | came to
peak on behalf OF the spirit which,
n the early sixties, burned in the
learts Of the men who wore the blue
md the men who wore the gray, but
{ make no appeal to the peace-at-
lny-pIice men of '61 to '65.
First and foremost, friends, I ask
ou to beware of the false prophets
which refuse to look truths in the
nee if the truths are unpleasant. In
ctual practice the professional pacif-
sts do not serve good. They serve
VII. The men who are the torch
arriers Of world civilization ase thosc
ho acknowledge the supreme duty
T protecting sacred spiritual things
hen s'taclfed
Two years ago any number of per
ons were assuring us that the day
f the great wars had passed; that
was impossible there ever should
great wars again This was only
Yo years ago. During these two
ears we have seen the most destruc-
We war in all history, waged on
ider scale than ever in history be
fore.
Two years ago the false prophets,
ho said there never would be an
ther war were appauded by all our
aople; but let us not be misled again,
undoubtedly as soon as the war ends
I the well meaning short-sighted
ersons viii begin their shrill pipings
at the last war has occurred.
When this war is over il is possible
at some one Of the combatants be
g fully armed will assail us be
use we offer ourselves as a rich
I'd helpless prize. | wish to say
ith all the emphasis in my power,
lat if peace in Europe should come
morrow, it ought not, in the small
t degree TO affect our policy OF
reparedness. IL we fail SO to pre-
are then asuredly some day, we OF
II children will have bitter caust
) rue our folly. Twenty-Five month
ave gone by since this war began
early five years have gone by since
ne revolution in Mexico loosed or
meEicans in Mexico and on Ameri-
ans on our own side of the border,
ne forces of murder and disrule, yet
.Iring these five years we have taken
% efficient steps to control the sit
alton in Mexico. Look at the facts.
Ie kept ourselves helpless to do JUS
ice to or for Mexico. We refuse to
AXE ready in any way to protect ouI
ltizens in Mexico, or even on our
wn side of the Mexican border. We
dbmitted tamely to the murder of
ur men and the rape of our women,
nd now we are engaged in har-
Issing little war along the border.
If at the outset, if three years ago,
se had resoutely and with foresight
prepared to act, and then, if neces-
,ary acted in Mexico, that country
would today be as peaceful and pros
jerous as Cuba-where we actually
id take the very action | advocate
or Mexico.
Weakness invites contempt. Weak
ness combined with contempt and ag-
gression. Self respecting strength
hat respects the rights of others, is
he only quality that secures respect
rom others. If we fail to respect
lur own rights, we shall not secure
,he good will of any one, and we shall
incur the contempt of other nations.
If we cannot protect ourselves we
nay be sure no one else will protect
us.
Preparedness, instead of being
provocative of war tells in favor of
peace and justice. Well meaning per-
sons who have not thought seriously
or deeply on the subject sometimes
assert that we are too far from the
old world to even fear assault or in
yasion. The answer is two-fold. In
the first place we have under our
flag the canal zone, Alaska and vari
GUS islands. We have just witnessed