Evening journal., 1921-12-06
Text Of Presidents Message

Press. 1.-The full text Of Presi-
dent Harding's message TO Con-
gress today follows:
Mr.. Speaker and members OF
the Congress;
IL il very gratifying privilege
to come to the Congress with the
republic az peace with all the ma
lions Of the world More, IL 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 dweit amid menaces Of war
or as participants in wars actual
ities. and the Inevitable aftermath .
with its disordered conditions, !
has added to the difficulties OF 1
government which adequately can |
not be appraised except by those 7,
who are IN immediate contact and
know the responsibilities. Our
tasks would be less difficult II we 1
had only ourselves to consider. but
so much OF the world was involved I
the disordercd conditions are so
wei-nigh universal even among
nations not engaged In actual war
fare, that no permanent readjust-
ncnts can be effected without
Consideration OF our inescapable
-c,ntionship 20 world affairs In IN
nance and trade. indeed, we
should lie unworthy OF our best
90
social, moral and political con-
dit'ons which are of direct con-
COZ to us. but which 10 appeal TO
the human sympathies and the
very becoming interest of a people
blest with our national good fnr-
tune
Ii Is not my purpose 10 bring TO
you a program of world restora-
ton. In the main such a program
must be worked out by tho nations
more directly concerned. They
must themselves turn to the heroic
remedies for the mcnacing condi-
tions under which they are strug-
Cling. then we can help, and we
mean to help. We shall do all un-
selnshly. because there is comDen-
sation in the consciousness of as
sist ng selhshly because the COM
mcrce and interchanges In trade.
which marked our high tide OF
fortunate advancement. are pos
sible only when the nations OF all
continents are restored 10 stable
order and normal relationships.
In the main the contribution OF
this republic to restored normaicy
in the world must come through
the initiative of the executive
branch Of the government bu; the
best intentions and most carefully
considered purposes would fail
utterly II the sanction and the CO.
operation OF the Congress were
not cheerfully accorded.
] am very sure we shall have no
conflict OF opinion about constitu-
tonal duties or authority. During
tho anxieties of war, when neces-
sity seemed compelling, there
were excessive grants OF authority
and extraordinary concentration
OF powers In the chief executive.
The repeal OF war time legislation
and the automatic expirat.ons
which attend the peace proclama-
tions have put an end to those
emergency excesses, but have the
wish to go further than that !
want to join you in restoring, In
the most cordial way, the spirit 81
cor-ordination and cooperation
and that mutuality Of conidencs
and respect which IS necessary IN
popular government
Encroachment upon the func-
tions OF Congress or attempted
dictation OF its policy are not 20 he
Thought OF. much less attempted,
but there Is an insistent cali
harmony. purpose and concord OF
action 20 speed the solution OF dif-
nculty problems confronting hoth
the legislative and executive
branches OF the government
II is worth while to make allu-
sion here to tho character OF oul
government. mindful as one mus
be that an address TO you IS M
Jess a message to our people 70
whom you speak most intimately
ours is a popular government
through political parties. We di
vide along political lines and
would have Il always 20. I do nc
mean that partisans preforenc
should hinder any public servar
In the performance Of a conscien
tious and patriotic Official way. W
saw partisan lines utterly obiiter
ated when war imperilled, and on
faith IN the republic was rivete
anew. we ought not hnd thes
partisan lines obstructing the ex
peditious solution OF the urgen
problems of peace.
Granting that we are funda
mentally a representative popula
government with political partie
the governing agencies. I believ
the political party in power SHOULD
assume responsibility determln
upon policies in the conference
which supplements convention
and election campaigns and thei
strive for achievement through ad
herence to the accepted policy.
There Is vastly greater security
immensely more OF the natiy
viewpoint much larger and prompt
er accomplishment where our al
visions are along party lines &
the broad and loftier sense. tha
30 be divided geographically. o
according to pursuits or persona
following. For a century and
third. parties have been charge
wfrh responsibility and held {
strfet accounting. When they fai
they are relieved OF authority; an
the system has brought us to a ne
ttonai emience no less than worl
example.