The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1921-03-10
HARDING WORN in
Very Simple Ceremonies Mark the In
duction Into Office of Ameri-
cas- New President.
Inaugural Address Brief But Covers
Numerous Points of Great Ma
tional Importance.


George Washington more than cen
fury ago. He took the oath at ITO p.
m. Pressing his lips to the bible used
at e Inauguration of George Wash
ington, he took tho oath administered
by Chief Justice White. H. had
chosen the eighth verse from the sixth
chapter Of Micha, which says: "What
doth the Lord require of thee but to do
justly and to love mercy and to walk
with thy God?"
President Wilson, yielding to the
last-minute entreaties of his family
and his physicians, took no part in the
inaugural ceremonies other than to ac-
company the incoming president from
the white house to the ccpitol, where
he signed some bills and then went
with Mrs. Wilson to their new home
in the residential section of the city.
Walking feebly with the aid of cane,
the outgoing president had persisted
in carrying out so much of his part
of the program as called for him to ac-
company his successor in the abbrevi-
ated inaugural procession. It was ap-
parent to all that it was next to i'm
possible for him to take part in the
ceremonies at the capitol. Mr.. Wilson
had been warned that he would do so
at the risk of losing all the gains he
has made toward health, if not, indeed,
his life. Persistent at first, he yielded
at last and quit the capitol before the
inaugural ceremonies actually had be-
gun. --... .-.
Immediately after the administra-
ton of the oath, Mr.. Harding turned
to the vast crowd which stretched
across the capitol plaza and began the
delivery of his inaugural address.
Declaring fatty against military and
economic alliances, President Harding
announced his policy for stronger
America" While sounding his policy
of "Americanism," he also sounded a
solemn warning that America stands
ready to resist any attempted rever-
sion of civilization. America, he said,
seeks no part in directing the dcstinies
of the world, but she is ready to enter
an association Of nations for confer
ence and counsel, which will not i'm
pair the sovereignty of the United
States. :
"Our eyes will never be blind to a
developing menace, our ears never
deaf to the call of civilization. There
was no American failure to resist the
attempted revision of civilization;
there will be no failure today or to-
morrow" he said.
ave shall give no people just cause
to make war upon us. We hold no
national prejudices. We entertain no
spirit of revenge, VIC do not hate, we
do not covet, we dream of no conquest
nor boast of armed prowess. If, de-
spite this attitude, war is forced upon
us, I earnestly hope way may be
found which will unity our individual
and collective strength and consecrate
all America materially and spiritually,
body and soul, to national defense
II can vision the ideal republic,
where every man and woman is called
under the flag for assignment to duty,
for whatever service, military or civic,
the individual is best fitted; where we
may call to universal service every
plant agency or facility, all in the
sublime sacrifice for country and not
one penny of war profits shall inure
to the benefit of private individual,
corporation or combination, but all
above the normal shall flow into the
defense chest Of the nation"
The league of nations was not men
toned but schemes of super-govern-
ment were unsparingly denounced.
President Harding pledged himself
to recommend a way to approximate
disarmament and expressed a desire to
join with other nations in plans for
mediation, Cancellation and arbitra-
ton, Qualification of International law
and establishment of an international
court.
Humanity hungers for interna-
tional peace" he said, land we crave
it with all mankind. The Garth is
thirsting for the cup of good will"
Enlarging on this doctrine of good will,
he raised fervcnt prayer for peace,
both among nation and among men.
Mankind needs worldwide benedic-
ton Of understanding" he said.
After outlining his international
program in general way, the new
president approached the climax of his