The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1921-03-12
OUTLINES DUTY
BEFORE NATION
Presidents Inaugural Address
Deals Chiefly With Re-
construction.
ACCEPTS MANDATE OF PEOPLE
Electoral Vote Construed as Directing
Continued Policy Of Non-lnvoive-
ment In World Affairs-Tariff
Readjustment.

Washington, March 4.-President
Hardings inaugural address, delivered
today. was substantially as follows:
My Countrymen-When one surveys the
world about him after the great storm.
noting the marks OF destruction and yet
rejoicing in the ruggedness of the things
which withstood it, If he is an American
he breathes the clarified atmosphere with
q strange mingling of regret and new
nope. We have seen a world of passion
spend its fury, but We contemplate our
republic mistaken, and hold our civiliza-
ton secure. Liberty-lberty within the
law-and civilization are inseparable, and
though both were threatened, We find
them now secure and threre comes TO
Americans the profound assurance that
our representative government Is the
highest expression and surest guaranty
of both.
Standing in this presence. mindful of
the solemnity OF this occasion, feeling the
emotions which no one may know until
he senses the great weight of responsible
ity for himself. l must utter my belief in
the divine inspiration of the founding
fathers. Surely there must have been
Gods intent in the making of this new
world republic Ours is an organic law
which had but one ambiguity and We saw
that enaced in a baptism of sacrifice and
blood, with union maintained, the nation
supreme and its concord inspiring. We
have seen the world rivet its hopeful gaze
on the great truths on which the found
ers wrought. We have seen civil, human
and religious liberty verified and glorified.
In the beginning. the world scoffed at our
experiment, today our foundations OF po-
litical and social belief stand mistaken, a
precious inheritance to ourselves, an in
spring example of freedom and civiliza-
ton to all mankind. Let US express re-
newed and strengthened devotion. in
grateful reverence for the immortal be-
ginning, and utter our confidence in the
supreme fulfillment
No ENHANCEMENT With Old World.
The recorded progress of our republic.
materially and spiritually. in itself proves
the wisdom OF the inherited policy of nom
involvement in old world affairs. Conf
dent of our ability to work out our own
destiny, and jealousy guarding our right
TO do So we seek no part In directing the
destinies or the old world. We do not
mean to be entangled. We will accept
no responsibility except as our own con-
science and judgment. in each instance
may determine.
Our eyes never will be blind to a
developing menace, our ears never deaf
to the call of civilization. We recog-
nize the new order of the world, with
the closer contacts which progress has
wrought. We sense the call of the
human heart for fellowship. fraternity
and cooperation. We crave fellow
ship, and harbor no hate. But Amer
lea, our America, the America builded
on the foundation laid by the inspired
fathers. can be party to no perma-
nent military alliance. 1t can enter
into no political commitments nor as
sumo any economic obligations which
will subject our divisions to any other
than our own authority.
VIII Associate I'm Counsel.
We are ready to associate ourselves
with the nations of the world. great
and small, for conference. for counsel,
TO seek the expressed views of world
opinion. to recommend way to APP
proxImate a disarmament and relieve
he NJ htlr NJ N
naval establishments. We elect to par
ticipate in suggesting plans for media
ton, Cancellation and arbitration. and
would gladly join in that expressed
conscience of progress which seeks to
clarity and write the laws Of inter-
national relationship. and establish a
world court. for the G,spositioa of such
justicidble Iu.stions as cations are
commitment must be made In the ex-
ercise of our national sovereignty.
Since freedom impelled, and independ-
ence inspired. and nationality exalted.
a world super government is contrary
to everything we cherish. and can have
no sanction by our republic. This Is
not selfishness. II is sanctity. 1t is
not aloofness. ii is security. 1t is not
suspicion of others, II is patriotic
adherence to the things which made
US what we are.
We have come to a new realization OF
our place In the world and new apprai-
sal Of our nation by the world The IN
selfishness of these United States is a
thing proven. Our devotion to peace for
ourselves and for the world is well estab-
lished. Our concern for preserved civili-
zation has had it's impassioned and heroic
expression. There was no American fall
| ure to resist the attempted reversion of
| civilization. There will be no failure to-
| day or tomorrow.
Declares Nation Has Spoken.
The success Of our popular government
| rests wholly upon the correct interpreta-
| ton of the deliberate. intelligent, depend
| able popular will of America. In a DELHI
| crate questioning Of a suggested change
| Of national policy, where internationally
| was to supersede nationality. We turned
| to q referendum of the American people.
There was ample discussion. and there Is
| a republic mandate in manifest under
standing.
America Is ready to encourage eager to
| initiate. anxious to participate In any
seemly program likely to lessen the prob
| ability of war and promote that brother
| hood of mankind which must be Gods
| highest conception of human relationship
| We aspire to q high place In the moral
| leadership OF civilization; and we hold a
maintained America, the proven republic
| the mistaken temple Of representative
| democracy, to be not only an inspiration
strengthening good will and promoting
| accord on both continents.
| Mankind needs a worldwide benedictior
| of understanding. 1t 10 needed among In
1 uiNfuudis, AIMING pcopics, dHioHk kvNeih
| ments, and II will inaugurate Van era OF
good feeling to mark the birth OF new
| order.
United States a. an Object Lesson.
| We must understand the ties of trade
bind nations in closest intimacy. and non'
| may receive except as he gives. In thu
| new order Of finance and trade we NEAR
| to promote enlarged activities and seel
| expanded confidence.
| Perhaps we can make no more helpful
| contribution by example than a republic.
| capacity to emerge from the wreckage o.
| war While the worlds embittered travail
| did not leave us devastated lands nor des
olated cities, left no gaping wounds. M
| breast filled with hate, II did involve vi
in the delirium of expenditures. in eI
| panded currency and credits. In unbal
anced industry. in unspeakabie waste ant
disturbed relationships. While 1t uncov