The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1921-11-19

standing rule and make good Will reg
nant everywhere. '.-- -..f.-.. ,
All Demand Liberty and Justice.
There ca not be one without the
other, and they must be held the un-
questioned possession of all peoples.
Inherent rights are of God and the
tragedies of the world originate in
their attempted denial. The world to-
day is infringing their enjoyment by
arming to defend or deny, when simple
sanity calls for their recognition
through common understanding.
Out of the cataclysm of the World
war came new fellowships, new con-
victions, new aspirations. 1t is ours
to make the most of them. A world
staggering with debt needs Its burden
lifted. Humanity, which has been
shocked by wanton, destruction, would
minimize the agencies Of that destruc-
tion. Contemplating the measureless
cost of war and, the continuing burden
Of armament, all thoughtful peoples
wish for real limitation of armament
and would like war outlawed. In So
berest reflection the worlds hundreds
of millions who pay In peace and die
In war wish their statesmen to turn
the expenditures for destruction into
means of construction, aimed at a
higher state for those who live and
follow after. .E. ..,.f. -.
War Growing More Cruel.
1t is not alone that the world cannot
readjust itself and cast aside the ex-
cess burdens without relief from the
leaders of men. War has grown pro-
gressively cruel and more destructive
from the first recorded conflict to this
pregnant day, and the reverse order
would more become our boasted civiliz-
alton.
Gentlemen of the conference, the
United States welcomes you with un-
selfish hands. We harbor no fears; we
have no sordid ends to serve; We sus-
pect no enemy; We contemplate or ap-
prehend no conquest. Content with
what we have, we seek nothing which
is another's. We only wish to do with
you that finer, nobler thing which no
nation can do alone.
We wish to sit with you at the table
of international understanding and
good will. In good conscience, we are
eager to meet you frankly, and invite
and offer cooperation. The world de-
mands sober contemplation of the
existing order and the realization that
there can be no cure without sacrifice,
not by one of, us, but by all of us.
No Pride Need Be HumbIed.
do not mean surrendered rights, or
narrowed freedom, or denied aspira-
tons, or ignored national necessities.
Our republic would no more ask for
these than it would give. No pride
need be humbled, no nationality sub
merged, but would have a mergence
Of minds committing all of us to less
preparation for war and more enjoy.
ment of fortunate peace.
The higher hopes come Of the spirit
of our coming together. 1t is but just
to recognize varying needs and pc
culiar positions. Nothing can be ac
complished In disregard of national ap
prehensions. Rather we should act to
gether to remove the causes of appre
tensions. This is not to be done In In
trigue. Greater assurance Is found ir
the exchange Of simple honesty and
directness, among men resolved to &C
compIish as becomes leaders amonl
nations, when civilization itself ha!
come to its crucial test.
All Want Less Armament
1t Is not to be challenged that gov
ernment fails when the excess of III
cost robs the people Of the way II
happiness and the opportunity t.
achieve. II the finer sentiments were
not urging. the cold, hard facts Of ex
cessive costs and the eloquence of eco
nomics would urge Us to reduce oul
ornaments. If the concept Of bettel
order does not appeal. then let III
ponder the burden and the blight o
continued competition.
1t is not to be denied that the worlt
has swung along throughout the age
without needing this call from th'
kindlier hearts Of men. But the sam
world never before was so tragicall.
brought to realization of the utter fu
tility of passions sway when reasol
and conscience and fellowship point
nobler way. 4
i can speak officially only for tn
United States. One hundred million
frankly want less of armament an
none Of war. Wholly free from guile
sure in our own minds that we harbo
no unworthy designs, we accredlt tn
world with the same good intent. S
l welcome you, not alone In good will
and high purpose. but with high faith
s' Service 60 All Mankind.
| We are met for a service to man
kind. In all simplicity, in all honest
and all honor, there may be write
here the avowals Of a world conscienc
refined by the consuming fires Of wal
and made more sensitive by the AM
ious aftermath. hope for that under
standing which will emphasize tn
guarantees of peace. and for commi
ments to less burdens and bette
order which will tranquilize the worlt
In such an accomplishment there wi
be added glory to your flags and our
and the rejoicing Of mankind wi
make the transcending music Of a
succeeding time.