The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-05-11

sured if he does not. Surely the
American people are not going to be
led astray by any such tactics. Sure
ly they are going to think these
things out for themselves in the in
terest of their country and not in the
interest of any party regardless OF
it's name.
| Preparedness
The question of preparedness will
enter into the campaign. My position
is what / believe to be the position
of all patriotic citizens, including
both those who are for what is term
ed preparedness and those who are
termed peace advocates. There are
no peace-at-any-price people in the
United States. There are but few
, who can honestly be called militar-
lists The American people are for
defense sufficient to protect this coun-
: try against any invasion, to secure
this country against any aggressor,
whatever preparation may be neces-
sary for that purpose. They are not
for one ounce of powder not single
gun to make war on any other nation,
nor for the securing of foothold in
any other country. Granted this is
the position of the American people,
l am perfectly willing to leave the
details, the working out of the plan,
the perfecting of the whole scheme
to any president the people of the
United States may elect, be he demo-
crat or republican. 1t becomes
practical matter of experience and ef-
ticiency. No one of us can hope to
be expert in this or have the time to
get all the facts. My thought is that
the $3.50, 100000 per year we have
been spending is sufficient, possibly
with an expert board co-ordinating
all the branches interested, money
could be saved from this and still
give us ample defense. If more money
! is necessary that we may be amply
prepared to protect ourselves, the
American people will gladly pay the
bill, whatever it is, but they want
nothing approaching militarism, and
they want one dollar in defense for
every dollar spent. The purpose of
the recent bill authorizing govern
ment manufacture of armOr plate is
to see the people get value received
for money spent; another evidence
of President Wilson's efforts in the
peoples interest and an answer to
the charge that he is working for a
program in the interest of the powder
or armOr ring.
In this discussion of preparedness,
foreign policy, etc., there should be
more light, much more, and less heat,
past performance whether President
Wilson is loyalty serving you and ev-
! cry other citizen, and if you decide
bof no fr,, tn IN hof
| in these matters he determines to be
best for you and for me. We cannot
have access to the information upon
which he bases his actions. We can
not hope to give these matters the
same close study, we cannot come in
daily contact with the many depart
ments manned by experts, as does he,
so let's stand back of the president
with full confidence that his every
thought, every action, every impulse
is to serve America and that means
you and me. Ask the mothers of
America if they approve President
, Wilson. How many of them, except
for him, might today be in tears. 1t
is easy to stand far off and criticise,
but would you have had him do 9TH
er than keep this country at peace?
Every father and every mother in
America today can we'll afford to stay
a minute and send up silent prayer
in thankfulness for Woodrow Wilson
and the fact that he has been at the
helm in these troublous times. In
the history of our country, no presi-
dent has ever been obliged to carry
a greater burden, if as great. Surely
Divine providence rules in the al
fairs of this nation.
Let us weigh and value men and
their motives and having tested them
trust them. Let us not be influenced
by craftsmanship; let us put country
above party, and thereby serve that
flag we love so well.
Let us lay aside party and be pa
triots.
Let us in Iowa, when we view that
flag, realize that each star repre-
sents a gem, state in the great con-
stellation of states. That it is not
piece of muslin alone, but that it
stands for humanity, personal liber-
ty, elf-gOvernment, freedom. That
one of those stars represents our own
beloved loWa-that star which
stands out a little warmer than all
the rest. Let us see back of that
star myriad of bright lights, each
light representing fireside, home
in Iowa, hundreds of thousands of
them, and let us do that thing which
protects those homes, brings most of
peace and JOY and happiness and con-
tentment, most of prosperity and
good citizenship and an opportunity
to grow in truth and right with prop
err regard for the rights of others
and determination to hold fast our
own liberty.