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

KANSAS CITY, Mo-, May 3o.-
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 a message for
hem.
He said "My message is mes
age to all Americans. In thanking
al the organizations whose invita-
lion have accepted know that none
If You will object to my putting first
the Grand Army of the Republic and
he Confederate veterans. came to
peak on behalf of the spirit which,
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-
ny-priee men of '61 to '65.
First and foremost, friends, | ask
gu to beware of the false prophets
which refuse to look truths in the
ace if the truths are unpleasant. In
ctual practice the professional pacif-
5ts do not serve good. They serve
vii. The men who are the torch
.,rrie"s Of world civilizat' on aee those
ho acknowledge the supreme duty
+ protecting sacred spiritual things
hen ;-t;,clced
Two years ago any number of per
ons were assuring us that the day
the great wars had passed; that
was impossible there ever should
q great wars again. This was only
vo years ago. During these two
ears we have seen the most destruc-
We war in all history, waged on a
ider scale than ever in history be
fore.
Two years ago the false prophets
'ho said there never would be an
thcr war were applauded by all our
eople; but let us not be misled again.
ndoubtedly as soon as the war ends
Il the well meaning short-sighted
arsons will begin their shrill pipings
at the last war has occurred.
When this war is over it is possible
at some one of the combatants be.
g fully armed will assail us be
use we offer ourselves as rich
ID 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. If we fail so to pre-
are then asuredly some day, we OF
II children will have bitter causc
. 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 on
meEicans in Mexico and on Ameri-
ans on our own side of the border,
ne forces of murder and disrule, YET
.urlng these five years we have taken
o efficient steps to control the sit
alton in Mexico. Look at the facts!
te kept ourselves helpless to do jus
ICE to or for Mexico. We refuse to
AXE ready in any way to protect our
tizens in Mexico, or even on our
wn side Of the Mexican border. We
abmitted tamely to the murder OF
III men and the rape of our women,
nd now we are engaged in a har-
lssing little war along the border.
If at the outset, if three years ago,
1e 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
ne only quality that secures respect
rom others. If we fail to respect
jur own rights, we shall not secure
The 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
sasion. The answer is two-fold. In
the first place we have under our
flag the canal zone, Alaska and vari
GUS islands. We have inst witnessed