The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-11-19

! Kingsley, and | am only going to talk TO
| YOU briefly and very informally.
/ I'VE are in the habit OF referring to
| the results of an election as victory
for one party or the other; but the times
are too serious. the problems confronting
us are too complicated and difficult, in
| deed party lines were too much broken
down this year to refer TO the result as
party victory. Instead of winning a
victory, the Republican party has as
sumed grave responsibilities in the State
and nation, and many Democrats and
independent citizens contributed to that
result. 1t is true, we must have party
! government because party government
| and party responsibility are best suited
| TO our institutions but the seriousness
/ of the times emphasizes the truth that
/ the party government contemplated
means government solely in the public
| interest, and that party responsibility
means responsibility to all the people.
Some Lessons of the War.
For a number of years prior to the
war business men were withdrawing
more and more from public activities.
! For reasons which 1t rs not profitable
to discuss now men of talent were seek
/
public careers. The war taught US the
great lesson OF service. and while it may
seem in the doubt and uncertainty re-
| ferred to by Sir Auckland that the les
sons OF the war. and that particular les
son, have been forgotten. and that selfish
ness is still the impelling force of human
action, I think that is so largely because
of the greater opportunities for selfish
ness and for greed. The war also taught
the world to readjust it's ideas Of value
and values. and while 1t might seem
that that lesson is being forgotten in the
pursuit of the dollar. yet the unsettled
and disturbed condition of the world is
certainly teaching the futility OF mere
wealth
Indeed 1t has come to be a question
as to what wealth is. and certainly the
world has lost its standards Of measure
ment OF what it has once called wealth.
Sir Auckland has referred to the be-
ginning or the era marked by the year
in which your chamber was chartered.
We are now entering upon a new era.
such an upheaval as we have had could
not do otherwise than produce great
changes either for good or i'll. and 1t
rests with the present generation, with
the living. to help decide which 1t shall
/ be. 1t rests with you and me to help
TO play our part in making that deci-
/ sion. Moral forces, and b say this In
the presence Of our distinguished and
honored General. who / am sure will
agree with the statement-moral forces
won the war.
II am an optimist / believe that
moral forces are going to continue to
make for the betterment of the world
and the progress of humanity. And not
withstanding the uncertainty of our
! M Il
to by Sir Auckland. / believe they are
going to be governed by principles of
right and justice. and that those prin-
ciples are going to make for the peace
and happiness Of the world.
Must Help Government.
Now, this is a time for service
While there have been times in the past
when it has seemed that success was a
disqualification for service, and while
there are some who apparently still
think So that Is not true, and by the
same token selfishness should no longer
deter men from rendering public service.
/ We have need at this hour in both State
and nation of all the brains and all of
the experience and all of the construc-
tive ability That we can command. and
the message that / want TO bring to the
members of this chamber Is simply this
that those who expect to enjoy the
blessings of ordered government must be
willing when called upon to serve their
government and to render unselfish pub
lie service.
The war aroused a fine public spirit
and | think II only needs to be uulckened
by calling attention to the public need
and wish to say that as Governor OF
this State, If live to assume the duties
of that office. l propose to appeal to that
spirit for the assistance which / shall
need in undertaking TO promote the pub.
I lie interest in this State. | propose to
appeal to men like these / am now adj
dressing and to seek rather those who
can render service than those who are
anxious to render service.
While at this hour after a good din
ner / do not want to disturb the diges-
ton of any Of you gentlemen. | intend ia
give some OF you an opportunity u
choose between rendering public service
and selhshly attending to your own pri-
vate interests.
This Chamber of Commerce and siru.-
lar bodies throughout the country and
the National Chamber Of Commerce per
formed great public services | would
not seek In any way to diminish and
can hardly magnify the value of the
| service that this body rendered I am
more or less aware of your work be-
cause In a smaller way have been as
ISOLATED with another chamber, and as
president of the State Bar Association
know something about the work that
you, in connection with the State Bar
Associations, have done In the way OF
facilitating the decision of commercial
controversies. l only refer TO that bv
way Of illustration to indicate the great
service that bodies like this perform.
Too Much Propaganda.
But am minded to say that / think
business men too often seem to feel that