The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-03-04

! Washington. March 1.-The text Vt
President Warren G. Harding's in
augural address follows:
my Countrymen, when one surveys the
world about him after the great storm, not
ing the marks of destruction and yet re-
joieing in the ruggedness of the things
| which withstood 1t If he is an American he
breathes the clarified atmosphere with a
strange minglfng Of regret and new hope.
| We have seen a world passion spend its
! fury, but We contemplate our republic I'M
shaken, and hold our civilization secure.
Liberty-liberty within the law-and civil
threatened, we find them now secure and
there comes to Americans the profound as
surance that our representative govern
ment is the highest expression and surest
standing in this presence, mindful of
emotions which no one may know until he
senses the great weight of responsibility
for himself, I 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 effaeed in
baptism of sacrifice and blood, with union
maintaining the nation supreme and its
| concord inspiring. We have seen the world
rivet its hopeful gaze on the great truths
| on which the founders wrought. We have
seen civil, human and religious liberty yeri-
"In the beginning the old world scoffed
at our experiment, today our foundations OF
/ Il
precious Inheritance to ourselves, an in
spring example of freedom and civiliza-
ton to all mankind. Let US express renew;
reverence for the immortal beginning and
utter our confidence in the supreme full
fillment.
Progress Proves wisdom.
| "The recorded progress of our republic
materially and spiritually, in itself proves
the wisdom Of the inherited policy of nom
fident of our ability to work out our own
destiny and jealousy regarding our right
70 90 SO, we seek no part in directing the
to be entangled. We will accept no re-
possibility except as our own conscience
ana Judgment, in each instance, may de-
| Our eyes never will be blinded to
developing menace, our ears never deaf to
new order in 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 friendship, and harbor no hate. But
America, our America, the America builded
fathers, can. be party to no permanent
military alliance. 1t can enter into no
economic obligations which will subject
| our decisions to any other than our own
| authority.
Il am sure our own people will not mis-
understand, nor will the world miseonstrue.
We have no thought to impede the paths
to closer relationship. We wish to promote
understanding. We want to do our part
| in making offensive warfare so hateful
| that govern nents and peoples who resort
| to 1T must prove the Righteousness of their
cause or stand as outlaws before the bar
of civilization.
Association for Counsel.
We are ready to associate ourselves
| small, for conference, for counsel, to seek
| the expressed views of world opinion, to
ment and relieve the crushing burdens of
| military and naval establishments. We
elect to participate in suggesting plans
| for mediation, Cancellation and arbitra-
| ton, and would gladly join in that ex-
| pressed conscience of progress, which seeks
court for the disposition of such justici-
able questions as nations are agreed
aspirations. in seeking practicable plans,
| in translating humanity's new concept of
righteousness I and Justice s and a,o Its hatred
ready most heartily to unite but every
commitment must be made in the exercise
| of our national sovereignty. Since free
| dom impelled, and independence inspired
| and nationality exalted, a world super
| government is contrary to everything we
| republic. This is not selfishness, it is
| sanctity. 1t is not aloofness, 1t is security.
| 1t is not suspicion of others, it is patriotic
| adherence to the things which made US
| what we are.
To-day, better than before we know the
aspirations of human kind and share them.
We have come to new realization of our
place in the world and new appraisal of
our nation by the world. The unselfish
ness of these United States is a thing
proven, our devotion to peace for ourselves
and for the world is we'll established, our
concern for preserved civilization has had
its impassioned aud heroic expression.
There was no American failure to resist the
attempted reversion of civilization, there
will be no failure today or tomorrow.
Rests on Popular Will.
"The success OF our popular government
rests wholly upon the correct Interpretation
of the deliberate, intelligent, dependable
popular will of America. In a deliberate
questioning of a suggested change of ma
| tional policy, where internationally was
! to superSede nationality, we turned to a ref
erendum to the American people There
was ample discussion, and there is pub
| lie mandate in manifest understanding.
| America is ready To encourage, eager to
| initiate. anxious to participate in any seem
ly program likely to lessen the probability
| Of war, and promote that brotherhood of
mankind which must be Gods highest con-
| ception of human relationship. Because we
cherish ideals of justice of peace. because
We appraise International comfy and help
| full relationship no less highly than any
| people of the world we aspire to a high
| place in the moral leadership OF civilization,
| and we hold n 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 pro.
| noting accord on both continents.
'Mankindsneeds a worldwide benediction
| of understanding. 1t is needed among in
| dividuals, among people, among govern
| ments, and 1t will inaugurate an era of good
| feeling 70 mark the birth of a new order.
In such understanding men will strive con-