The Caledonian-record. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1920-current, 1921-03-04
HARDING MADE PRESIDENTIAL lisp. Nj.
HARDINC'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS

ness of these United States is thing
proven, our devotion to peace for our
selves and for the world is well esta-
blished, our concern Tor preserved ci-
vilizaton has had its impassioned and
! heroic expression. There was no Anne
rican failure to resist the attempted
reversion of civilization; there will
be no failure today OF tomorrow.
J REST OF POPULAR WILL
The success of our popular gov
ernment rests wholly upon the cor
rect Interpretation of the deliberate,
intelligent, dependable popular will
Of America. In deliberate questioning
of a suggested change of national
policy where internationally was to
supercede nationality, we turned to
referendum to the American peo-
pie. There was ample discussion and
there is public mandate to manifest
understanding.
America is ready to encourage,
eager to initiate, anxious to partici-
pate in any seemly program likely
to lessen the probability of war and
promote that brotherhood of man
kind which must be Gods highest
conception of human relationship.
Because we cherish ideals of jus
tice and peace, because we appraiSc
international comfy and helpful re-
lationship no less highly than any
people Of the world, we aspire to a
high place in the moral leadership of
civilization and we hold a maintain
ed America, the proven republic, the
democracy, to be 10, only an inspira
ton and example, but the highest
agency of strengthening good will
and promoting accord on both CONT
nentS.
Mankind needs world wide benc-
diction CT worldwide understanding. . 1t
is needed among individuals, among
peoles, among governments, and It
will inagurate an era of good feeling
to mark the birth of a new order. In
such understanding men will strike
confidently for the promotion of their
better relationships and nations will
promote the comities so essential to
peace.
TRADE TIES BIND CLOSELY
We must understand that ties Of
trade bind nations in closest intima-
cy and none may receive except as
he gives. We have not strengthened
ours in accordance with our resour-
ces or our genius, notably on our own
continent, where GALAXY of republics
reflect the glory Of new world dem
ocracy, but in the new order of f.
nance and trade we mean to promote
enlarged activities and seek expanded
confidence.
Perhaps we can make no more
helpful contribution by example than
prove a republics capacity to emerge
from the wreckage of war, while the
worlds embittereG travail did not
leave US devastated. land nor desolat-
ed cities. left no gaping wounds; no
breast with nate. 1t did involve US in
the delirium of expenditure, in eX-
pended currency and credits, in UNI
balanced industry, in unspeakable
waste and disturbed relationships
While it uncovered our portion of
hateful selfshness at home, it also
revealed the heart of America as
sound and fearless and beating in
confidence unfailing.
Amid it all we have riveted the
gaze of all civilization to the unset
fishness and the righteousness of re-
preventative democracy, where our
freedom never has made offensive
warfare, never has sought territorial
ACKNOWLEDGMENT through force, never
has turned to the arbitrament of
arms until reason had been exhausted
When the governments of earth shah
have established a freedom like our
own and shall have sanctioned the
pursuit of peace as we have practic-
ed it, | believe the last sorrow and
the final sacrifice of international
warfare will have been written.
OUR SUPREME TASK
Our supreme task is the resump-
ton of our onward aormal way, re-
tion-all these must follow | would
like to have them. If it will Tighten
the spirit and add to the resolution
with which we take up the task, let
me repeat for our nation, we shall
give no people just cause to make
waY upon us. We hold no national
preiudces, we entertain no spirit OF
revenge; we do not hate, we do not
covet, we dream of no conquest, nor
boast of armed prowess.
If despite this attitude, war isl
again forced upon us, earnestly |
hope a way may be found which will
uni1y our individual and collective
strength and consecrate all America. |
Materially and spiritually, body and ,
soul, to national defence, | can vi
sion the ideal republic, where every
man and woman is called under the
flag for assignment to duty, for what
ever service, military or civic, the in
dividual is best fitted. where we may
call to universal service, every plant, |
agency or facility all in the sublime !
sacrifice for country and not one
penny of war profit shall inure to the
benefit of private individual. corpo-
ration or combination, but all above
the normal shall flow into the de-
fence chest of the nation. There is
something inherently wrono, some
thing out of accord with the ideals