The spectator., 1921-03-11
OUTLINES DUTY
 BEFORE NATION
Presidents Inaugural Address Deals Chiefly With Re-
 construction.
ACCEPTS MANDATE OF PEOPLE
Electoral Vote Construed as Directino Continued Policy of Non-lnvolve- ment in World Affairs-Tariff
 Readjustment.

HlGnt III WOTIO HHdlTS-I dTiU Readjustment.
 Washington, March 4.-President Harding's inaugural address, delivered today, was substantially as follows:
 My Countrymen-Whe 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 Il, if 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 unshaken, and hold our civiliza- ton secure. Liberty-lberty 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 l of both.
 Standing in this presence mindful of the solemnity of this occasion. feeling the emotions which no one may know until he senses the great weight of responsibl- ity for himself, l must. utter my, beliefs'r the divine inspiration of the foundA4 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 ana US concord inspiring. We have seen the world rivet its hopeful gaze on the great truths on which the found CTS 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- ltical and social belief stand unshaken, a precious inheritance to ourselves, an in- spring example of freedom and civiliza- 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 mpreme fulillment
 No Entangement With Old World.
 The recorded progress of our republic. l materially and spiritually in itself proves the wisdom of the inherited policy of non- involvement in old world affairs. Confi- dent of our ability to work out our own destiny. and Iealously guarding our right to do so. We seek no part in directing the mean to be entangled. We will accept no responsibility except as our own con science and Judgment, in each instance. may determine.
 Our eyes never will be blind to a i developing menace, our ears never deaf to the call of civilization. We recog- i nize the new order of 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 fellow ship, and harbor no hate But Amer 1 ica. our America. the America Suiided on the foundation laid by the inspired
 fathers. can be party to no perma- nent military alliance. It can enter i into no political commitments nor as sume any economic obligations wl<ah
 will subject our devisions to any other l 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,
 .n seek the expressed views of world l opinion. to recommend a way to ap- ] proNImate disarmament and relieve ! the crushing burdens of military and l naval establishments. We elect to par l uCipate in suggesting plans for media tion cOneiiation and arbitration. and
 would gladly join in that expressed 1 conscience of progress which seeks to i clarify and write the laws of inter-
 national relationship, and establish
 world court for the disposition of such l JuSticlable questions as nations are i agreed to submit thereto, but every commitment must be made in the ex-
 .rcIse of our national sovereingty.
 Since freedom impelled, and independ- ence inspired, and nationality exalted. l world super-g government is contrary
 to everything We cherish, and can have l no sanction by our republic This is
 not seltishness. 1t is sanctity. It Is 1 not alootness, it Is security. IL Is not
 suspicion of others. 1t is patriotic l adherence to the things which made i us what We are.
 We have come to a new realization of i our place in the world and new apprat-
 sal of our nation by the world. The un-
 
 thing proven. Our devotion to peace for 1 ourselves and for the world is well estab- 1 hshed Our concern for preserved civili-
 zation has had its inpassioned and heroic l expression. There was no American fail 1 ure to resist the attempted reversion of civilization There will be no failure to-
 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 delib- 1 crate questioning of suggested change
 of national policy. where internationally 1 was to supersedc nationality We turned
 to referendum of the American people. ! There was ample discussion, and there IS
 republic mandate in manifest under
 standing
 America is ready to encourage, eager to 1 initiate, anxious 10 participate in any
 seemly program likely to lessen the prob | ability of war and promote that brother 1 hood of mankind which must be Gods | highest conception of human relationship | We aspire 10 a high place in the moral
 leadership of civilization; and we hold a ] maintained America, the proven republic. the unshaken temple of representative i democracy. 10 be not only an inspiration and example, but the highest agency of
 strengthening good will and promoting i accord on both continents.
 Mankind needs worldwide benedlction 1 of understanding. It is needed among in- | itviduals. among peoples, among govern | ments, and it will lnaugurate an era of
 good feeling to mark the birth of Il new | order.
 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.
 l Perhaps we can make no more helpful l contribution by example than republics l capacity to emerge from the wreckage of
 war While the worlds emhittered travail 1 did not leave us devastated lands nor des- | plated cities, left no gaping wounds. no breast filled with hate, it did involve us | in the delirlum of expenditures, in eN- ! banded currency and credits. In unbal- .anced industry, In unspeakable waste and
 disturbed relationships. While II uncov-