Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-07-23
Harding's Speech Of Acceptance

pass It's declaration for . Republican,
executive to sign. Then we may turn
to our reimbursement at home and pro-
coed deliberately and. relectively
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 ornaments throughout the
world. with attending reduction of
We wish to give Of American tnhu-
and example,; we must give Of
leadership to that invaluable
accomplishment.
san speak .un~reservedly Of the
American aspiration and the Republi-
can committal for an association Of
nations, cooperating in sublime ac-
cord. to attain and preserve peace
through justice rather than force, de-
termined to add to security through
International law, so clarified that no
misconstruction can be possible with
out afronting world honor.
This republic can never be .unmind-
full Of its power, and must never for
get the force of its example. Possessor
OF might that admits nc fear. America
oSoAAA AOIL III Ilk1LLs LII
the mistaken voice Of America, spoken
in unheeding haste. led Europe. in the
hour Of deepest anxiety, into q mill
tary alliance which menaces peace and
threatens all freedom, instead Of add
Ing to their security, then we must
speak: the truth for America. and ex-
press our hope for the fraternized
conscience of nations.
1t will aval nothing to discuss in
detail the league covenant, which was
conceived for world super-government,
negotiated in misunderstanding, and
intolerantly urged and demanded by
It's administration sponsors, who re-
sisted every effort to safeguard Ameri-
ca. and who finally rejected when such
safeguards were inserted. If the su-
preme blunder has left European re-
l~ationships fnextricably interviewer in
the league compact, our sympathy for
Europe only magnifies our own good
fortune In resisting involvement. It is
better to be the free and d~isinterested
agent OF international Justice and ad-
vancing civilization, with the covenant
OF conscience, than be shackled by a
written compact which surrenders our
freedom OF action and gives to a mill
tary alliance the right to proclaim
Americas duty to the world. No sur
render Of rights to a world cou1cil or
It's military alliance, no assumed man.
,datory however appealing, ever shall
summon the sons of this republic to
war. The supreme sacrifice shall only
be asked for America and its call Of
honor. There Is a ~sanctity in that right
we will not delegate.
When the compact was being writ
ten, I do not know whether Europe
asked or ambition mistakenly bestow-
ed. 1t was Sc good to rejoice in the
worlds confidence in our unselfshnese
that l a believe U evident disin-
t~erestedness inspired Europe's wish
for our association, quite as much az
the selfish thought of enlisting Ameri-
can power and resources. Ours Is ar
outstanding, influential example to. the
world. whether we cloak It in spoken
modesty OF magnify it in exaltation.
We want to help; we mean to help;
but we hold to our own Interpretation
OF the American conscience as the
very soul of our nationality.
Disposed as we are. the way is very
simple. Let the failure attending as
sumption, obstinacy, impracticabinty
and delay be recognized. and let VI
And the big, practical. unselfsh way
cause of ambition nor hesitant through
fear, but ready to serve ourselves, hu-
mainly and God. With a senate advis.
ing as the constitution contemplates
I would hopefully approach the ma.
ktions of*Europe and oflthe earth, pro.
posing that understanding which
makes US a willing participant in the
conservation of nations to a new re.
~lationship, to commit the moral force.
Of the world. America included. tc
peace and international justice. still
leaving America free, independent and
self reliant, but offering friendship tc
all the world.
II men call for more specific de-
tails, I remind them that moral com.
initials are broad and all inclusive
and we are contemplating peoples in
the concord of humanity's advance
ment. From U WI viewpoint the
program, is specifically American. and
we mea to be Americans first, to all
the world.
Appraising preserved nationality az
the first essential to the continued pro-
gress of the republic, there is linked
with it the supreme necessity Of the
restoration-let us say the re-reveal-
'ment-of the constitution, and our re-
construction as an industrial nation,
Here is the transcending task. It con.
Germs u common veal at home and
will decide future eminence In the
world. More than these, this republic,
under constitutional liberties, has CIV
en- to mankind the most fortunate con-
ditions for human activity and attain
ment the world has ever noted, and
we are today the worlds reserve force
in the great contest for ltberE through
security, and maintained equality OF
opportunity and it's righteous rewards.
1t is folly to close u eyes to out
standing facts. Humanity IL FESTIVE,
much Of the world is in revolution, the
agents Of discord and destruction
have wrought their tragedy in pathetic
Russia, have lighted their torches
among other peoples, and hope to see
America a a part of the great red
confagration. Ours is the temple of
liberty under the law, and 1t is ours to
call the Sons Of Opportunity to its de-
Tense. America must not only save her