Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-02-22

Continued from Page One
nations of the earth. How long are we
TO remain dcfenseless against enemies
that may come upon us, and how long are
we to be powcrless to protect and pre-
serve our right inheritance from those
who COyct it,
A VOICE FROM THE PAST
Plunging boldly into his subject with
the premise that sef-prcscrvation is the
highest law of a nation, the orator of the
day fastened the attention of his hearers
hy pointing out the similarity of Condi-
tions between the Administration Of
President Washington and the present
time war raging among the nations of
Europe, with this country at peace, but
on the edge Of the maelstrom.
He pointed out that common defense"
of the country was the highest duty, and
quoted at length from Washngton's pub
lie utterances, which insisted on national
preparedness.
I'm TIMES OF PEACE"
ITO be prepared for war is one OF the
most effectual means of preserving peace "
he quoted "A free people ought not only
to be armed, but disciplined to which end
a uniform and well-digested plan is requi-
site. The most sincere neutrality is not
a sufficient guard against the depredatOns
ought not 70 indulge persuasion that,
contrary to the order of human events,
they will forever keep at distance those
painful appeals to arms with which the
history of every other nation abounds.
There is a rank due to the United States
among nations which will be withheld,
II not absolutely lost. by the reputation Of
weakness If we desire to avoid insult. we
must be able to repel it; IL we desire to
secure peace one of the most powerful
instruments of our risine prosperity, it
must be known that we are at all times
ready for war; and. in their. protest
against war and preparedness for war
let the advocates Of peace at any price
in appealing to the Bible to sustain them
not forget that the God of Israel was the
Lord of Hosts and the God of battles for
His chosen people.
DANGERS ABOUND.
"The frebrands of war are now Ipon
the earth, spreading death and desol tion
as they were never spread since mar hrst
drew his sword against his fellow
Those brands have not reached our
shores. but they may reach us, God be
prayed that they do not, but, If they
should we must be prepared to shield
ourselves from them by now preparing
to meet them. and down TO us through
1875 years we hear voice saying 'Ihe
disturbed situation in Europe, ana partic-
ularly the critical posture OF the great
maritime Powers, whilst 1t ought to make
us the more thankful for the general
peace and security enjoyed by the United
States reminds us at the same time of
the clrcumsrection with which 1t be-
comes us to preserve these blessings
"These words of Washington are being
needed. on all sides there are the evil
dences OF rapidly growing and con-
great nation must be prepared for war II
It's peace and all the blessings or peace
are 10 be secure.
1T is the call of no particular party,
but of united, patriotic Americans, for
whose common defense against all enc
niles they too, are ever ready to pledge
their lives, their fortunes and their sac
red honor
FOREVER THE TRUTH"
ct have quoted at length the words of
Washington upon the consumngly inter-
esting question Of these times, because
his words. as the Father of his Coun-
try. ought not TO be unheeded by its
children, who, If they will stop TO con-
slider, will know that what he said was
the truth then. as now, and forever VIII
be- While he spoke under conditions
then existing, It seems as II with pro-
phetic vision he must have seen from
afar what is now tTanspiring throughout
the world"
Chief Justice Brown pictured the fate
OF a European nation unprepared for
the war now raging.
mo one member of family of nations
can remain unprepared for war when all
the other members have prepared for
| IT," he declared.
DEFENSE AS PEACE AID.
Preparedness for war, he said is not
war II is for the prevention OF war, or
/ Of successful war, against peace.
The orator of the day assailed those
who elamor for war and those who
clamor for peace at any price"
/ National security. peace and prosperity
/ are constantly menaced on the one hand
/ by the acts and utterances of those who.
| imagining themselves to be the only
| patriots In the land, clamOr for war on
/ every. pretext; and, on the other. by the
| hysterical cries OF equally unreasonable
creatures for peace at any price," he
| asserted. THE public welfare Is In as
great danger from one OF these classes as
from the other, ana Il seems to be i'm
/ possible 10 reason with either. II there be
/ any reason in them. To the first. always
avowing their patriotism in the name OF
/ Washington, let his hope be repeated
/ That we may never unsheath the sword
except In seif-defense, SO long as justice
and our essential rights and national re-
speetaDillty can be preserved without IT,
And let those chronic advocates Il war
I