The Caledonian-record. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1920-current, 1921-03-04

w ASH NGION, Mdfcn 81 leSl-
dent Harding in his inaugural addres
said:
My Countrymen:When one surveys
the world about him after the great
ton and yet rejoicing in the rugged
ness of the things which withstood it,
if he is an American he breathes the
clarified atmosphere with Il strange
mingling of regrets and new hope.
We have seen world passion spend
its fury, but we contemplate our re-
public mistaken and hold our civIi-
zation secure Libert,-liberty wi
thin the law-and civilization are in
separable and though both were
threatened we find them now secure,
and there comes to Americans the
profound assurance that our repreSen
tative government is the highest eX-
preston and the surest guaranty of
both.
Standing in this presence. mindful
of the solemnity of this occasion, feel
ing the emotions which no one NAV
know until he senses the great weight
of responsibility for himself, | must
utter NV belief in the Divine inspi-
ration of the founding fathers Sure
w there must have neen Gods intent
in the maxine of this new world re-
nuhlic. Ours is an organized law
which had hut one amhieuitv and we
eqr- that pffaced in q baptism of ~
crifce and blood, with union main
tanned. the ration e'1rreme and its
cor rrord insnirinp. We have seen the
world-rivet its hopeful Gaze on the
GREAT truths of which the founders
wrought. We have seen civil, human
and religious liberty verified and glo-
lified. In the beginning the old world
Scoffed at our experiment; today our
foundations of political and social be-
lief stand unshaken, a precious IN
Eelitance to ourselves, an inspiring
example of freedom and civilization
to all mankind. Let us express re-
newed and strengthened devotion, in
grateful reverence for the immortal
beginning, and utter our confidence
in the supreme fulfillment.
| PROGRESS PROVES WISDOM
The recorded progress of our re-
public, materially and spiritually,
/ in itself proves the wisdom Of the in
herited policy of non-involvement in
old world affairs. Confident in our
I ability to work out our-oWn destiny
and jealousy guarding our right to
do so, we seek no part in directing
| the destinies of the old world. We do
= not mean to be entangled we will ac
cept no responsibility except as our
conscience and judgment in each in
stance may determine
| Our ewes never will be blind to
developing menace, our ears never
deaf to the call of civilization. We
recognize the new order in the world,
| with the closer contact which pro
press has wrought. We sense the call
| of the human heart for fellowship,
! fraternity and cooperation. We
crave friendship and hal'bor no hate.
But America, our America, the Anne
rica builded on the foundation laid
bv the inspired fathers, can be par
ty to no permanent military alliance,
it can enter into no political commit
ments, nor assume any economic OBJ
legations or subject our decisions to
anv other than our own authority.
I am sure our own people will not
misunderstood nor will the world
miscontrue. We have no thought TO
impede the paths to close relationship
We wish to promote understanding.
We want to do our part in making
offensive warfare so hateful that gov
ernments and people who resort to it
must prove the righteousness of their
cause or stand outlaws before the
bar of civilization.
ASSOCIATION FOR COUNSEL
We are ready to associsate ourselves
with the nations of the world, great
and small, for conference, for coun-
sci, to seek the expressed views OF
world opinion, to recommend way
to approximate disarmament and re-
Geve the crushing burdens of military
and naval establishments. We elect
to participate in suggesting plans for
mediation. conciliation and arbitra-
ton, and would gladly join in that
which seeks to clarity and write the
laws of international relationship and
establish a world court for the dis
position of such justiciable questions
as nations are agreed to submit there
to. In expressing aspirations, in seek
ing practical plans, in translatlng
humanity's new concept of right
eousness, Justice and its hatred of war
into recommended action we arc
ready most heartily to unite, but
every commitment must be made in
the exercise of our national sover-
eignity.
Since freedom impelled an indie
pendence inspired and nationality eX
allied, world super government is
contrary to everything we cherish
and can have no sanction by our re-
public. This is not selfshness. 1t is
sanctity. 1t is not aloofness; it is
security. 1t is not suspicion of
others it is patriotic adherence 20
the things which made us what we
are.
Today, better than ever before,we !
know the aspirations of human kind
and share them. We have come to a
= ,,1aon -,