East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1920-07-22
HARDING AssAiI.s COVENANT
CONTINUED from page u


: public. II the torch of constitu-
, tonalism had not been dimmed, the
delayed peace of the world and the
tragedy of disappointment and
, Europe's misunderstanding of Amer
, lea easily might have been avoided.
The Republicans of the senate halted
the barter OF Independent American
ominence and Influence, which II was
proposed to exchange for an obscure
and Unequal place in the merged
government of the world. Our party
means to hold the heritage of Amer
lean nationality unimpaired and un-
surrendered.
Tho world will not misconstrue.
We do not mean to aald aloof. We
do not mean to shun single respon-
sibility of this republic to world civili-
zation. There is no hate in the
American heart. We have no envy,
no suspicion, no aversion for any
people in the world. We hold to our
rights, and means to defend, aye, we
mean to sustain the rights of this ma
ton and our citizens alike, every
where under the shining sun. Yet
there is the concord OF amity and
sympathy and fraternity in every
resolution. There is genuine as
a tranquil friendship with all the
world.
More. we believe the unspeakable
sorrows, the immeasurable sacrifices.
the awakened convictions and the
aspiring conscience of human kind
must commit the nations of the earth
to a new and better relationship. 1t
need not be discussed now what mo-
tives plunged the world in to war it
need not be inquired whether we ask
ed the sons of this republic to defend
our national rights, as I believe we
did, or to purge the old world of the
Accumulated ills of rivalry and greed,
the sacrifices will be in vain if we can
not acclaim a new order, with added
security to civilization and peace
maintained.
On Senate
One may readily sense the con
science of our America. l am sure I
understand the purpose of the domin-
ant group of the senate. We were
not seeking to defeat a world aspira-
ton, we were resolved to safeguard
America We were resolved then, even
as we are today, and will be tomorrow,
to preserve this free and Independent
republic. Let those now responsible
or seeking responsibility, propose the
surrender whether with interpreta-
tions. apologies or reluctant reserva-
tions-from which our rights are TO
be omitted-we welcome the referen-
dunn to the American people on the
~ servatton Of America, and the Re
publican party pledges its defense of |
the preserved inheritance of national |
freedom.
In the call of the conscience of
America is peace, peace that closes
the gaping wound of world war, ana |
siences the impassioned voices of in
ternational envy and distrust. Heed |
ing this call and knowing as / do the
disposition of the congress, l promise
you formal and effective peaW SO
quickly as a Republican congress can
pass it's declaration for a Republican
executive to sign. Then we may turn
to our readjustment at home and pro-
ceed deliberately and reflectively
to that hoped-for world relationship
which shall satisfy both conscience and
aspirations and still hold us free from
menacing involvement.
l can hear in the call of conscience
an insistent voice for the largely re-
duced armaments throughout the |
world, with attending reduction of |
We wish to give of American influ
ence and example; we must give of |
American leadership to that invalu-
able accomplishment.
can speak unreservedly of the Am
erican aspiration and the Republican
conlmittaI for an association of ma
tions, cooperating in sublime accord,
to attain and preserve peace through |
Justice rather than force, determined |
to add to security through interna
tionaI law, so clarified that no miscon-
struction can be possible without af-
fronting world honor.
This republic can never be unmind
full of its power and must never for
get the force of its example. Posses
sor of might that admits no fear, Ann
erica must stand foremost for the
right If the mistaken voice of Am
erica, spoken in unheeding haste, led
Europe. in the hour of deepest anxiety.
into a military alliance which menaces
peace and threatens all freedom, in
stead of adding to their security, then
we must speak the truth for America
and express our hope for the frater-
nized conscience of nations.
On League Covenant
It will avail nothing to dicuss in
for world super-govern
ment, negotiated in misunderstand-
ng, and intoIerantly urged and de-
by its administration spon-
'ors. who resisted every effort to safe
guard America, and who finally re-
ected when such safeguard were in
.erted II the supreme blunder has
eft European relationships inextric-
lbIy interviewer in the league COM
,act, our sympathy for Europe only
nagnifies cur own good fortune in
esisting involvement. 1t is better to
e the free and disinterested agent Of
Justice and advancing
Ivilization, with the covenant Of con-
,ience. than be shackIed by written
ompact which surrenders our free
ON OF action and gives to a military
lliance the right to proclaim Amer
ais duty to the world. No surrender
T rights to a world council or its mill
ry alliance, no assumed mandatary
owever appealing. ever shall summon
le sons of this republic TO war Their
ipreme sacrifice shall only be asked
- call Of