The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-11-18
"Momentuous Problems.

leans home of the Order Of Elks. of
which he is a member,
"Momentuous Problems"
The president elect said: al be-
lieve the American people have come
to realize that we must face mo-
mentous problems. and must face
them with resolute courage and
practical wisdom and patriotic de-
termination. There must be no rea-
son for pause nor excuse for despair,
nor place for pessimism. If We are
effective in solving our problems at
home We shall be the better able
to help solve those of the world as
befits our part in modern civiliza-
ton.
THE world has never witnessed
such an upheaval as that which
came with the great war. Its civil
lization was never so sorely tried.
Inevitably there must be reconstruc'
ton. Unavoidably there will be re-
adjustment. And the old order will
never return. The incalculable sac
rifice would be vainA But there must
come stability and dependability We
must put aside the debris of war and
continue to- build on solid founda-
lions. We can not escape all the
unsettled conditions of its aftermath.
There are sure To be reverses. There
will be endless acknowledgements but
confident America will face them
with good courage. And we will win.
We may slow Up bit now and then,
we may have to bend our backs To
new burdens. Surely we are going
to be called upon nationally, collec
lively and individually to renounce
extravagances and learn the old and
the new lessons Of thrift and of
providence. II will add to our pow
er&nd emphasize our stability If we
become a simple living nation once
more. 1t win add to the sum total
of our happiness.
Must Produce. ...
THE big thing for all America to
realize now and always is the dig
nifty of productive labor. No matter
how humble. the producers are the
makers of the essentials of civiliZa-
ton and we must, each and Nall of
us accept and discharge our duty OF
producing for. the world or of min
istering to the needs of comfort or
progress OF mankind.
There are certain fundamentals
which are everlasting. Neither our
own, nor the worlds salvation is to
be worked out Through any patent
nostrum through any miracle OF
statesmanship, through any gov
eminent panacea. Governments but
the, agency TO administer the collec-
tive, organized public service Sanity,
clear thinking, common sense, hon
esty, cooperation in official circles,
executive and legislative and depart
ments, win help nightly and bring
rnfNtaA
our understanding, but government |
alone Will not affect the whole solu !
ton The greater task is that OF
the American people themselves. II
is for them, under governmental |
leadership, TO meet the great test.
ours are millions OF broad acres !
eager to respond to mans Cultivat- |
ing touch. We have an empire and |
millions more are awaiting reclama-
ton. We have not half revealed our |
mines nor measured our water pow |
er We are unmatched in genius and |
mexcellod in industry. We are pro- |
gressive in education. We are free |
in religion and mean to stay free; |
and mean ever to be free in press |
especially. We have more than the |
beginning OF an adequate transport |
system. We are awakened to the |
possibilities of inland waterways and |
tardily alert to the imperative need |
of merhcant marine to widen COM |
merce, world influence and national |
safety.
Urges Diversification.
I'VE have been talking about tho
new South for a score of years and |
more. 1t is new in spirit, new in |
development. | would like to see |
in rpo4tyatipn urptIlH Ike |
TO acclaim a Southland with added |
good fortune and greater self-re-
lance through diversified agriculture |
and | would lik" to see South |
land affairs with industry, with |
transportation ever Il growing prob |
lem. This lana Of raw materials |
ought to manufacture and locate its |
factories by mine and farm and or |
chard. There will be no jealousy in |
the North because your greater
glory will be glorious victory.
Here we are today at one of !
the great gateways of the Latin
America. Somehow ! feel that the I
Western Hemisphere is out special |
field ~ Influence and trade. Com
merCe mark the highways of friend
ship as well as rivalry. Our trade
routes by sea to the south ought to
be as dependable as our railway |
routes at home, and there ought |
to be sufficient and reassuring COM
ity and concord among Americans, |
South, Central and North. Bind |
our friendship with the ties of |
trade and we shall make it indisolu-
bic,
we have ships now. We have tho !
commercial foundations, our future |
lies in policies and practices. We
must buy as well as sell, to be sure
but we need the expanding trade !
polio its efficient agents in sales
men and credits and the simple, |
practical understanding that com |
merce is the life blood of material |
existence. our great assurance al |
home lies in virlc. intelligent, |
resolute people in land unravaged !
by war. an rnmity with no people, |
enyying none, COvettng nothing, !
seeking no territory. striving for no !
glories which do not become