The New York herald., 1921-03-05
HARDING OPPOSES
ALLIANCES; HOLDS
U.S.PEACE LEADER
Declares for Reduced Taxa
tion and End Of Abnormal
Expenditures.
HELP FOR COMMERCE
War Time Profiteers and
Revolt Propagandists
Are Denounced.
ASKS FOR SANE ECONOMY
President Declares Willingness
to Aid Disarmament in In
augural Address.
ASKS FOR SANE ECONOMY
Special Despatch to TIE NEW YoEK HzaALn
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington. ID. c.. March 4. (

psciol Despatch to TIE Nzw YoEK Hza.L
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington. ID. C., March 4.
Foliotrirg is the inaugural adore,
! Warren G.. Harding, ttoenty-niat
resident OF the United States.
MY CoUNTRYMEN: When one sur
veys the world about him after the
great storm, noting tho marks Of
destruction and yet rejoicing In the
ruggedness of the things which
withstood IT. if he is an American
he breathes the clarified atmos-
pllere with a strange mingling Of
regret and new hope. We have
seen a world passing and spend its
fury, but we contemplate our re-
public unshaken and hold our CIV
ilization secure. Ldberty-liberty
within the la~'-and civilization
are inseparabie. and though both
We're threatened. we find them now
secure, and there comes to Ameri-
cans the profound assurance that
our representative government is
the highest expression and surest
guarantee OF both.
Standing IN this presence. mind
full OF the solemnity OF TINS occa-
sion, feeling the emotions which no
one may know. until he senses the
great weight OF responsibility for
himself. I must utter my belief in
the divine inspiration Of the found
ing fathers. Surely there must
have been Gods intent in the
making OF this New World Re-
public. Ours is an organic law
which had but one ambiguity, and
we saw that effaced In a baptism
OF sacrifice and blood. with union
maintaining the nation supreme
and its concord inspiring. We
have seen the world rivet it's hope
full gaze on the great truths on
which the founders wrought. We
have seen civil, human and relig-
ious liberty verified and glorified
In tho beginning the Old World
sconed at our experiment; to-day
our foundations OF political ard so
cial Selief stand unshaken, q pre-
cious inheritance to ourselves, an
inspiring example of freedom and
civilization to all mankind. Let
US express renewed and strength
ened devotion in grateful rever-
ence for the immortal beginning
and utter our confidence IN the
supreme fuihlment.
No Outside EntanxIements.
The recorded progress OF our
Republic, materially and spirit
ualiy, In itself proves the wisdom
OF the Inherited policy OF non-in-
volvement in Old World affairs.
Confident of our ability to work
out our own destiny. and Jealously
guarding our right TO do so, We
seek no part in directing the des-
tinies OF the Old World.
We do not mean to be en-
tangled. We viii accept no TO
sponsioility except as our own
conscience and Judgment in each
instance may determine.
Our eyes never VIII be blind TO
a developing menace, our ears
never deaf to the call of civiiiza-
tion. We recognize the new order
In tho world. with the closer con-
facts which progress has wrought.
We sense the call Of the human
heart for fellowship. fraternity
and cooperation. We crave friend
ship and harbor no hate. But
America, our America. tho Amer
lea builded on the foundation laid
by the inspired fathers, can be a
party TO no permanent military
alliance. IL can enter into no
political commitments nor assume
any economic obligations which
VIII subject our decisions to any
other than our own authority.
] am sure our own people viii
not misunderstand, nor will the
world misconstrue. We have no
thought to impede the paths to
closer relationship. We wish TO
promote understanding We want
TO do our part IL making offensive
warfare SO hateful that Govern
ment. and peoples who resort TO II
must prove the Righteousness Of
their cause or stand as outlaws
before the bar OF civilization.
wouId Help world Court.
We arc ready 70 associate our
selves with the nations OF the
world. great and small, for confer
ence. for counsel, 20 seek the ex-
pressed views o. world opinion.
70 recommend a way 20 approx
mate disarmament and relieve the
crushing burdens of military and
naval establishments. We elect to
participate in suggesting plans FOR
mediation, concilistion and arbi-
tration. and would gladly join IN
that expressed conscience Of prog
rcss which seeks TO clarity end
write the laws OF international re-
letionship and establish o world
court FOR the disposition of such
iusticiable questions as nations are
agreed 70 submit thereto. In ex-
pressing aspirations. IN seeking
practical plans, In trsnslating
humanity's new concept OF right
eousness and justice end its hatred
or war into recommended action
We are ready most heartily TO
unite, but every commitment must
be made IN The exercise OF our
national sovereignty.
Since freedom impelled and In
dependence inspired. and nation
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