Pueblo chieftain., 1921-12-07


the, congress with the republic at
peace with all the nations of the
world. More. 1t Is equally gratifying
to report that our country is not only
free from every impending menace OF
war but there are growing assurances
of the permanency OF the peace which
we so deeply cherish.
For approximately ten years we
have dwelt amid menaces of war or
as participants In wars actualities.
and the inevitable aftermath, with
its disordered conditions, has added
to the difficulties of government.
which adequately can not be apprais-
ed except by those who are in i'm
mediate contact and know the re-
sponsibilities. Our tasks would be
less difficult If we had only ourselves
to consider, but lso much of the
world was involved, the disordered
conditions are so wellnigh universal.
even among nations not engaged In
actual warfare. that no permanent
readjustments can be effected with
out consideration OF our unacceptable
relationship to world affairs in fl
nance and trade. Indeed. we should
be unworthy of our best traditions
IL we were unmindful of social. moral
and political conditions which are not
Of direct concern to us but which do
appeal to the human sympathies and
pie blest with our national good for
tune. 1t is not my purpose to bring
to you a program OF world restora-
tion. 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 tho menacing conditions under
which they are struggling, then we
can help, and we mean to help. We
shall do so unselfishly because there
is compensation in the consciousness
of assisting. selfishly because the
commerce and International ex-
changes In trade which marked our
arc possible only when the nations or
all continents are restored to stable
order and normal relationship.
In the main the contribution of this
republic to restored normalcy in the
world must come thru the initiative
OF the executive branch of the govern
ment, but the best of intentions and
most carefully considered purposes
would fail utterly IL the sanction and
the cooperation OF congress were not
cheerfully accorded.
I am very sure we shall have no
conflict of opinion about constitution
al duties or authority. During the
anxieties of war. when necessity SEEM
cd compelling. there were excessive
grants of authority and an extraor-
binary 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 excesses. but l have
the wish to go further than that.
want to join you in restoring, in the
most cordial way. the spirit of CO.
ordination and cooperation. and that
mutuality of confidence and respect
which is necessary in representative
popular government
Encroachment upon the functions
of congress or tho attempted dictation
of its policy are not to be thought
OF much less attempted. but there Is
an insistcnt call for harmony of pur-
pose and concord of action to speed
the solution of the difficult problems
confronting both the legislative and
executive branches OF the govern
ment
II Ia worth while to make aiiusion
here to the character of our govern
ment, mindful as one must be. that
an address to you Is no less a message
TO all our people for whom you speak
government thru political parties. We
divide along political lines and would
ever have It SO. l do not mean that
partisan preferences should hinder
any public servant in tho performance
pf a conscious and patriotic official
duty. We saw partisan lines utterly
obliterated when war imperilled. and
our faith in tho republic was riveted
anew. We ought not to find these
partisan lines obstructing the expedi-
tious solution OF the urgent problems
OF peace.
Granting that we are fundamentally a
representative popular government
sx-lt
agencies, ] believe tho political party
in power should assume responsibility.
determine upon policies in the confer
ence which supplements conventions
and election campaigns. and then strive
for achievement thru adherence to the
accepted policy.
There Is vastly greater security, i'm
menscly more OF the national view
point, much larger and prompter ac-
complishment where our divisions arc
along party lines. in the broad and
loftier sense than to divide geographic
cally, or according TO pursuits.
or personal following. For
century and a third. parties have been
charged with responsibility and hold to
strict accounting. when they fail.
they are relieved OF authority: and
the system has brought us to ma
tional eminence no less than a world
example.
Necessarily legislation is a matter of
compromise. The full ideal is seldom
attained. In that meeting of minds
necessary to insure essentials there
must and will be accommodations and
compromises but in the estimate of
convictions and sincere purposes the
supreme responsibility to national In
terest must not be ignored. Tho shield
to the highminded public servant who
ndheres to party policy is manifest. but
the higher purpose is the good OF the
republic as whole.
II would be ungracious to withhold
acknowledgment Of tine really large
volume and excellent quality OF work
accomplished by the extraordinary ses-
sion of congress which so recently ad-
iourned. I am not unmindful OF the
very difficult tasks with which you
were called to deal. and no one can ig-
moro the insistent conditions which.