Evening star., 1926-11-11

the progress of true ideals in the mod
| ern world, even from a nation newly
rich. than there is from a nation of
| chronically poor. Honest poverty is
one thing. but lack of industry and
character is quite another. While we
| do not need to boast of our pros
perity or vaunt our ability to accu-
mulate wealth. 1 see no occasion to
apologize for it. It is the expression
| of a commendable American spirit to
! live a life not merely devoted to lux
urious ease, but to practical accom-
! plishment. Nowhere is this better eX.
emplified than in our great midconti-
! mental basin 1t is the spirit which
| dares, which has faith and which sue
ceeds. 1t is not confined to material
ism, but lays hold on a higher life.
| No one can doubt that our coun-
| try was exalted and inspired by it's
war experience. 1t attained a CON
| scious national unity which it never
always to be cherished as one of our
choicest possessions. In this broad
| land Of ours there is enough for every
body We ought not to regret our
diversification, but rather rejoice in
| ii. The Seashore should not be dis
tressed because it is not the inlands,
and the fertile plains ought not to be
distracted because they are not the
mountain tops. These differences
which seem to separate us are not
real. The products of the shore, the
inlands. the plain and the mountain
reach into every home. This is all
one country. 1t all belongs TO us.
1t is all our America
I'VE had revealed to us in our time
of peril not only the geographical
unity of our country. but, what was
of even more importance, the unity
of the spirit of our people. They
might speak with different tongues,
come from most divergent quarters of
the globe, but in the essentials of the
hour they were moved by a common
purpose, devoted to common cause,
and loyal to d common country. We
should not permit that spirit which
was such source Of strength in our
time of trial to be dissipated in the
more easy days Of peace. We needed
it then and we need 1t now. But we
ought to maintain it, not so much
because it is to our advantage as be-
cause it IS just and human and
right.
True American Spirit.
Our population is composite Of
many different RACIAL strains. All of
them have their points of weakness:
all of them have their points of
strength. We shall not make the
most progress by undertaking to re-
ly upon the sufflciency of any one of
them. but rather by using the COM
h,nation of the power which can be
derived from all of them. The policy
which was adopted during the war Of
selective service through the COM
pulsory Government Intervention is
the same policy which we should
carry out in peace through voluntary
personal action. Our armies could
not be said to partake Of any distinct
racial characteristic, many of our
Esoldiers were foreigners by birth, but
they were all Americans in the de-
fense of our common interests. There
was ample opportunity for every ma
tionality and every talent. The same
condition should prevail in our peace
time social and economic organiza-
ton. We recognize no artificial dis
tinctions, no hereditary titles, but
leave each individual free to assume
and enjoy the rank to- which his own
services to society entitle him. This
great lesson in democracy. this great
example of equality which came to us
as the experience of the war ought
never to be forgotten. 1t was a resur-
gence of the true American spirit
which combined our people through a
common purpose into one harmonious
whole. When Armistice day came in
1918, America had reached higher
and truer national spirit than 1t ever
before possessed. We at last realized
in new vision that we were all one
people.
Our country has never sought to
be a military power. 1t cherishes no
tmperialistic designs. it is not in
fatuated with any vision of empire.
1t is content within it's own territory.
to prosper through the development
OF its own resources. But we realize
thoroughly that no one will protect us
unless we protect ourselves. DomeS-
tic peace and international security
are among the first objects to be
sought by any government. Without
order under the protection of law
there could be no liberty. To insure
these necessary conditions we main
tain a very moderate military estab-
lishment in proportion to our num-
berS and extent of territory. 1t is a
menace to no one except the evildoer
1t IS notice to everybody that the
authority of our Government will be
maintained and that we recognize
that it is the first duty Of Americans
to look after America and maintain
the supremacy of American rights.
To adopt any other policy would be
to invite disorder and aggression
which must either be borne with
humiliating submission or result in a
declaration of war.
For National Defense.
While. of course. our Government
Is thoroughly committed to a policy
OF permanent international peace and
mas made and will continue to make
every reasonable effort in that direc.
! ton, it is. therefore. also committed TO
policy Of adequate national defense.
Like everything that has any value.
the Army and Navy cost something.
In the last half dozen years we have
! appropriated Tor their support about
/ $4,000 600 900. Taken as whole, there
/ is no better Navy than our own in the
! world. If our Army is not as large
as that of some other countries. il is
not outmatcbed by any other like
number OF troops. Our entire military
| ana naval forces represent a strength
! OF about $4,000 men, altogether the
! largest which we have ever maintain.
| ed in time of peace. We have recent
| ly laid out t1Ve-year program for i'm
! proving our aviation service. 1t is a
| mistake to suppose that our country
! is tagging behind in this modern art.
! Both in the excellence and speed of
IT'S lpldlieS j. HoluS nlEn records, While
| in number of miles covered in com.
| mercial and postal aviation II exceeds
| that of any other countries.
Although I have spoken Of our ma.
| tional defenseS somewhat in relation
/ to other countries, l have done so en-.
! tirely for the purpose of measurement
! and not for comparison. for our Gov.
ernment stands also Thoroughly com.
mitted TO the policy of avoiding com
! petition in armaments. We expect 10
| provide ourselves with reasonab BILE
! protection, but we do not desire to en-
| ter into competition with any other
! country in the maintenance of land or
! sea forces. Such a course is ALWAYS