Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-06-09

These are the corner-stones OF civil
lization. We must be strong to defend
them.
DESIRE FOR OUR COUNTRY
THE PEACE OF JUSTICE
The present war shows that II is
the supreme duty OF civilization to
create conditions which will make peace
permanent. Our country must be able
and ready to take it's part in that
work. The peace which We desire for
our country is not the peace of sub
misSron and cowardice, but the peace of
justice. War and It's evils will not be
done away with by suffering injustice
to ourselves or others, nor by pledging
ourselves to drastic action for inter-
national right IL we do not prepare tho
forces which would sustain such action.
We can perform our rightful part In
promoting permanent international
peace only by Willingness and a pre-
pared ability to defend our own rights
and the rights of other nations wo
earnestly desire TO keep the peace, but
there are higher things which we must
keep IL We would keep the faith as
Washington and Lincoln kept It,
Peace at the price Of submission and
cowardice is not desirable. nor is it
the peace of justice which alone would
make 1t permanent. Supine submission
TO the invasion of our rights or in
difference to the wrongs of weaker
nations Will not long maintain peace,
nor will mere threat OF action enforce
our rights under international law.
There must be an unfaltering determi-
! nation and personal ability to de-
! fend. our rights and to fulfill our in
ternational obligations. In such n
readiness lies the sure safeguard Of
! both national honor and continued
! peace.
DEALINGS WITH MEXICO
WEAKEN OUR SELF-RESPECT
Failure to deal firmly and promptly
| with the menace of Mexican disorders
| has brought conditions worse than
warfare and has weakened our ma
tional self-respect. Every resource Of
government should forthwith be used
to end those conditions. and protect
from outrage the lives. honor and
property of American men and women
( in Mexico.
Whatever our country can leEiti-
mately do to attain peace for war
stricken Europe. and to aid In the pro-
curement Of equal rights without dis
! examination because Of race or creed to
all men I'm all lands. should he DONE
Adequate provision for the common
| defense has become the task Of fore
| most national concern. Beneath the
| structure of military and economic
| strength. there must be a unified spirit
of this cosmopolitan people. deep
| loyalty and undivided allegiance to
|
us and our immigrant forefathers.
Back of any adequate national pro-
paredness in arms or in industry must
remain the democratic soul Of an un-
divided country. determined to keep
Americas great heritage and traditions
unfalteringly In first place. I'm
! wavering patriotism and unfaltering
! fdelitS to America is the only spirit
| which should animate our citizens II
in this melting pot Of hundred ma
lions the children OF any fall to find
our common destiny worthy Of common
devotion and defense. we shall sustain
irreparable loss of national character.
ACTION MUST DE TAKEN
FOR COMMON DEFENSE
in this spirit of Americanism ac-
ton must be taken for the common
defense. We must be ready. in spirit
arms and industry. Preparation in
arms requires:
"A navy restored to at least second
crank in battle efficiency.
"A regular army of 100000 men. fully
armed and trained, as first line OF
land defense.
| "A system Of military training ade-
quate to organize with promptness, be-
hind that first line Of army and navy,
a citizen soldiery supplied, armed and
controlled by the national government.
in our democracy every male citizen
is charged with the duty Of defend
ing his country.
The nation has always recog-
nized and exercised the right to en-
force compulsory military service In
time OF war. so should there be uni
versal military training for that SER
vice during times OF peace.
I'VE believe in preparedness for de-
Tense. but never for aggression. We
must not sacrifice the lives OF men for
the glory or gain OF military conquest
! And we believe that the women of
the country. who share with men the
burdens Of government In times OF
peace and make equal sacrifice In time
of war. should be given the full politf-
cal RICH, of suffrage either by State
; or Federal action.
Arms alone cannot maintain q ma
ton or far greater permanent impor-
| lance must stand a national industry
efficient for the general welfare, a pros
perity justly distributed, national
life organized in all points for national
ends. Four years ago this party was
born OF a nations awakened sense OF
these funda mental truths In the plat
form then adopted we set forth our
position on public questions. We here
rea firm the declarations there made on
ma tionul issues