The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-03-17

try in a state OF complete detense,
DR. Peirce pointed out, stating that
he sought courageous neutrality,
based on dignity, justice and neutral
rights
AS a paclfst Washington regarded
the use of arms as a last resort, DR..
Peirce declared, and then told Of the
Henry Ford of that day, a Quaker
preacher DR.. Logan, who made Wis
it to Paris, following the insoent
treatment of American representa-
tives by the French directorate. DR..
Logan misinterpreted the polite treat
ment he received from the French
men and, thinking he had settled all,
rushed back to America to report the
fact to Washington who, in the cold
est of tones, remarked: How
could you, single individual, hope
to succeed when the official repre-
sentatives of the United States of
America failed?"
During the last few years of his
life, Washington was made command
er-in-chief of the armies of the U. S.
A., DR.. Peirce stated, and in that
capacity made the country ready for
war with France. President Peirce
referred to Washington's eighth an
nual addresses as president, pointing
significantly to the fact that each con.
tanned strong program for national
defense.
"Be ready to declare war at all
times" was Washington's watchword,
DR.. Peirce set forth, and the last let
ter he wrote in his life, 4S hours be-
fore death, urged that the establish
ment Of a military academy was of
prime Importance to the country. In
this connection, it was made plain
that Washington did not favor large
salaried, standing army, but thor
oughly endorsed strong state militias,
composed of men Offering their SER
vices voluntarily.
The kernel of significance of the
lecture was then brought to light
when DR.. Peirce, after explaining that
he must not be regarded as unpatriot-
ic, launched into the painful account
of the presidency of Thomas Jeffer-
son who, he stated, believed in econo-
my in military affairs and was irrevo,
cably opposed to preparedness and
the making of any issue which would
involve the country In dispute with
foreign powers.
During the years of 1906 to 1912,
President Peirce stated, war-ridden
Europe shamelessly disregarded U. s
rights, Napoleon confiscating Ameri.
can ships valued at $10,0O0,0OO and
Great Britain increasing her impress
ment Of u. S. sailors. DR.. Peirce re
ferred to Jefferson's absolute mac
tiyity after the Chesapeake had been
blown to pieces by the British frigate
the Leopard, and of the weak -kneed
retaliatory act in preventing all for
eign shipping-an act which wrought
havoc with American shipowners and
nearly destroyed American com
merce.
Showing how the war tendency sci
toward Great Britain, DR. Peirct
pointed out the ultimate break, com
ing in 1872, was after series of in
suits and atrocities which the u. S
could no longer possibly endure. II
this war, President Peirce remarked
the utter unpreparedness of the u. S
showed itself, despite the fact tha
Great Britain had just emerged from
almost twenty years strife will
seemingly all her resources spent
The surrender of Detroit, the invas
ion and near annexation of Maine
the sacking and burning of the ma
tionai capitol by 5000 British and tn
complete disappearance from tn
seas OF American shipping wer
dwelled upon by DR.. Peirce as the sa,
lent outrages resulting from unpre
paredness.
This policy Chat OF Jefferson) wa
the reverse Of Washington's," Dl
Peirce avowed, and 1t was plain t
be seen that the Kenyon preslden
thought of what might happen II Wi
liam j. Bryan were to be the Jeffel
son of the present age, or If man G
less stern mould than Woodrow Wi
son were elevated to the Office G
president OF the United States.
Dwelling again on the fact tina
Great Britain, even after 20 years c
hard fighting with France. had a
tackled the United States and wrougf
considerable disaster, DR.. Peirce on
lined how much more valuable a pre-
United States is today than in thos
times; how the country's infuenC
extended with the adoption of th
Monroe Doctrine as a fighting prime
pie and how the responsibility of I'll
possession of an empire in the p