The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-12-06
Text of President Harding Message

washington, Dec. 6.-The text of
President Harding's message to con-
gress follows:
at is a very gratifying privilege to come
/ to the congress with the republic at peace
with all the nations of the world More.
! it is equally gratifying to report that our
country is not only free from every i'm
pending menace Of war, but there are
/ the peace which we so deeply cherish.
! For approximately ten years we have
/ dwelt amid menaces OF war or as par
/ evitable aftermath, with its disordered
| conditions, has added to the difficulties
/ be appraised except by those who are in
! immediate contact and know the respoE-
cult if we had only ourselves to consider
but so much of the world was involved
the disordered conditions are so well nigh
universal, even among nations not engaged
in actual warfare, that no permanent re-
adjustment can be effected without con-
sideration of our unacceptable relationship
to world affairs in finance and trade.
Indeed, we should be unworthy of our best
traditions if we were unmindful of social
not of direct concern to US, but which 10
appeal to the human sympathies and the
very becoming interest of a people blest
with our national good fortune.
Nations Must Care for Selves.
1T is not my purpose to bring to you
process of world restoration. In the
main such a program must be worked out
by the nations most directly concerned
They must themselves turn to the heroic
remedies for the menacing conditions un-
der which they are struggling. Then we
can help, and we mean to help. We shall
do so unselfishly because the commerce and
international exchange in trade which mark
ed our high tide of fortunate Advancement,
are possible only when the nations of ali
continents are restored to stable order and
normal relationship
I'm the main, the contribution lof this
1fp 10,
must come thru the initiative of the ex-
ecutiye branch of the government, but the
best Of intentions and most carefully con
sldered purposes would fa1l utterly if the
sanction and the cooperation of congress
were not eheerfuIly accorded.
4 am very sure we shall have no con-
flict of opinion about constitutional duties
or authority. During the anXieties of war
when necessity seemed compelling, there
were excessive grants of authority and an
extraordinary concentration of powers in
the chief executive. The repeal of war time
legislation and the automatic expirations
which attend the peace proclamations have
put an end to these emergency excuses, but
| have the wish to go further than thar
I want to join you in restoring in the
most cordial way, the spirit of co-ordina-
ton and that mutually Of confidence and
respect which is necessary in representing
popular government.
Cannot EncrOach on Congress.
"Encroachment upon the functions of
congress or attempted dictation of its policy
are not to be thought of much less at
tempted, but there is an insistent call for
harmony of purpose and a concord of ac-
ton to speed the solution of the difficult
problems confronting both the legislative
and executive branches of the government
1t is worth whAe to make aIIus1On here
to the character of our government mind
full as one must be, that an address to you
is no less 4 message to all our people, for
whom you speak most intimately. Ours is
a popular government thru political par
ties We divided along political lines, and
1 would ever have it so. I DO not mean
that partisan preferences should hinder
any public servant in the performance of
a conscientious and patriotic official duty
We saw partisan lines utterly ob1iterated
when war imperiled and our faith in the
republic was riveted anew. We ought not
find these partisan lines ebstructing the
expeditions solution of the urgent prob
Granting that We are fundamentally 4
popular government with
political parties the governing agencies, I
believe the political party in power should
assume responsibility. determine upon
ments conventions and election campaigns
and then strive for achievement thru ad- |
herence to the accepted policy.
Legislation Must Be Comprehensive.
"There is vastly greater security. i'm I,
mensely more of the national viewpoint, |
much larger and prompter accomplish |
nent where our divisions are along party |
ines in the broad and loftier sense, than |
pursuits, or personal following. For a
century and a third. parties have been !
strict accounting. When they fail, they /
Ire relieved of authority; and the system /
las brought Us to national eminence no
ess than world example.
Necessarily legislation Is a matter Of
compromise. The full ideal is seldom at
aimed. In that meeting of minds neces- /
iary to insure results, there must and will /
)e accommodations and compromises but /
n the estimate of convictions, and sincere /
purposes the supreme responsibility to |
rational interest must not be ignored. The /
hield to the high minded public servant
Who adheres to party policy is manifest,
tut the higher purpose is the good of the
epublic a whole
1T would be ungraciOHs to withhold
of the really large volume
md excellent quality of work accomplish
ID by the extraordinary session of con-
,ress which so recently adjourned. am
lot unmindful of the very difficult tasks
With which you were called to deal. and
10 one can ignore the insistent conditions
which. during recent years, have called for
he continued and almost exclusive atten-
ion of your memberships to public works.
Economics Must Be Rigid.
at would suggest insincerity if I ex-
'ressed complete accord with every eX-
'ressiOn recorded in your roll calls, but
ye are all agreed about the difficulties
nd the inevitable divergence of opinion in
eeking the reduction, amelioratiOn and
adjustment Of the burdens Of taxation.
4ater on, when other problems are solved.
shall make some recommendations about
ut for the immediate time before us, we
must be content with the billion dollar
eductiOn in the tax draft upon the people,
nd diminished irritations, banished uncer-
|