Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1921-03-11
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-InvoIve-
ment in World Affairs-Tariff
REIMBURSEMENT.


Washington, March 4.-President
Harding's inaugural address, delivered
today, was substantially as follows:
My Countrymen--W 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, II he is an American
he breathes the clarified atmosphere with
strange mingling of regret and new
hope. We have seen world of passion
spend its fury, but we contemplate our
republic mistaken, and hold our ciVtliza-
ton secure. Liberty-liberty 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
ity for himself, 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 effaced 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
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 ciyiliza-
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 fulhllment
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
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 ,, esIntangled. We win accept
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
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 a party to no perma-
nent military alliance. Tt can enter
INTO no POLITICAL commitments nor as
sumo any economic obligations which
will subject our divisions to any other
than our own authority.
Will Associate In 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 a way to APP
proximate disarmament and relieve
the crushing burdens OF military and
naval establishments. We elect to par
tlcipate in suggesting plans for media
tion, Cancellation and arbitration, and
would gladly join in that expressed
conscience of progress which seeks to
clarity and write the laws Of inter-
world court, for the disposition of such
JustIciable questions as nations are
agreed to submit thereto, but every
commitment must be made in the ex-
ercise of our national sovereignty.
Since freedom impelled, and independ-
ence inspired, and nationality exalted,
world per-government Is contrary
TO everything we cherish, and can have
no sanction by our republic. This is
not selfishness, 1t Is sanctity. 1t Is
not aloofness, 1t is security. It is not
suspicion of others, it 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 a new apprai-
sal of our nation By the world. The I'M
selhshness of these United States is a
thing proven; Our. devotion to peace for
lished. Our concern for preserved ciYili-
cation has had it's impassioned and heroic
expression. There was no American fall
ure to resist the attempted reversion of
civilization. There viii 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 a 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 a 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
and example, but the highest agency of
strengthening good will and promoting
accord on both continents.
Mankind needs a worldwide benediction
of understanding. IT is needed among in
dividuals among peoples, among govern
ments, and Ii will inaugurate an era of
good feeling to mark the birth of new
United States as an Object Lesson.
We must understand the ties of trade
bind nations in closest intimacy, and none
may receive except as he gives. In the
new order of finance and trade we mean
TO promote enlarged activities and seek
expanded confidence.
Perhaps we can make no more helpful
contribution by example than a republics
capacity to emerge from the wreckage of
war. While the worlds embittered travail
did not leave us devastated lands nor des-
olated cities, left no gaping wounds, no
breast filled with hate, 1t did involve us
in the delirium of expenditures, in ex-
panded currency and credits, in unbal-
anced industry, in unspeakable waste and
disturbed relationships. While 1t uncov-