We are at peace with all the world.  No one who speaks counsel based on fact or drawn from a just and candid interpretation of realities can say that there is reason to fear that from any quarter our independence or the integrity of our territory is threatened.  Dread of the power of any other nation we are incapable of.  We are not jealous of rivalry in the fields of commerce or of any other peaceful achievement.  We mean to live our own lives as we will; but we mean also to let live.  We are, indeed, a true friend to all the nations of the world, because we threaten none, covet the possessions of none, desire the overthrow of none.  Our friendship can be accepted and is accepted without reservation, because it is offered in a spirit and for a purpose which no one need ever question or suspect.  Therein lies our greatness.  We are the champions of peace and of concord.  And we should be very jealous of this distinction which we have sought to earn.  Just now we should be particularly jealous of it, because it is our dearest present hope that this character and reputation may presently, in God’s providence, bring us an opportunity such as has seldom been vouchsafed any nation, the opportunity to counsel and obtain peace in the world and reconciliation and a healing settlement of many a matter that has cooled and interrupted the friendship of nations.  This is the time above all others when we should wish and resolve to keep our strength by self-possession, our influence by preserving our ancient principles of action.

From the first we have had a clear and settled policy with regard to military establishments.  We never have had, and while we retain our present principles and ideals we never shall have, a large standing army.  If asked, Are you ready to defend yourselves? we reply, Most assuredly, to the utmost; and yet we shall not turn America into a military camp.  We will not ask our young men to spend the best years of their lives making soldiers of themselves.  There is another sort of energy in us.  It will know how to declare itself and make itself effective should occasion arise.  And especially when half the world is on fire we shall be careful to make our moral insurance against the spread of the conflagration very definite and certain and adequate indeed.

Let us remind ourselves, therefore, of the only thing we can do or will do.  We must depend in every time of national peril, in the future as in the past, not upon a standing army, nor yet upon a reserve army, but upon a citizenry trained and accustomed to arms.  It will be right enough, right American policy, based upon our accustomed principles and practices, to provide a system by which every citizen who will volunteer for the training may be made familiar with the use of modern arms, the rudiments or drill and maneuver, and the maintenance and sanitation of camps.  We should encourage such training and make it a means of discipline which our young men will learn to value.