The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1921-03-04
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
Continued from Page IL

Iitical commitments, nor assume any &C.
onomic obligations or subject our decI-
sions to any other than our own au-
am sure our own people win not mis-
understand nor will the world miscon-
stIue. 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 governments
and peoples who resort to it must prove
the righteousness of their cause or
stand as outlaws before the bar of civ
ilizatiOn.
Association for Counsel.
We are ready to associate ourselves
with the nations of the world, great and
small, for conference, for counsel 10
seek the expressed views of world opln-
ion. to recommend a way to approximate
disarmament and relieve the crushing
burdens of military and naval establish
ments. We elect 10 participate IN sug-
costing plans for mediation, conclhatlon
and arbitration, and would gladly JOIN
in that expressed conscience of progress
which seeks to clarity and write the
laws of international relationship and
establish a world court for the DISPOSE
ton of such iusticiable questions as ma
tons are agreed to submit thereto. IN
expressing aspirations. IN seeking prac-I
teal plans, in tFanslating humanity 81
new concept 81 I1S AlttJtiNiltHoE JNSAitN
and its hatred of war into recommended
action we are ready most heartily to-
unite. but every commitment must be
made in the exercise Of our national
sovereignty.
Since freedom impclled and indepond-
ence inspired and nationality exalted,
Il world uper-goyernmcnt is contrary toi
everything we cherish and can have no.
sanction by our republic. This is not
selfshness. 1t is sanctity. 1t is not
aloofness; it is security. 1t is not Sus-
picion of others; it Is patriotic adher-
ence to the things which made US what
we are.
Today. better than ever before. wei
know the aspirations Of humankind and
share them. We have come to new
realization Of our place in the world
and G new appraisal of our nation by
the world. The unseltishnesS of these
United States is a thing proven. our de
vOtiOn to peace for ourselves and fOr|
the world IS well established, our con-
cegn for preserved civilization has had
its impassioned and heroic expression
There was no American failure to resist
the attempted reverSiOn of civilization
There will be no failure today or tomOr-
row.
Rest On Popular VIII.
The success of our popular govern
ment rests wholly upon the correct in
tCrpIetation of the deliberate, intelli !
gent, dependable popular will Of Amer
lea In deliberate questioning of q Sug-l
gested change Of national policy where
internationally was to SuperSede ma
ti0nality. we turned to referendum to-
the American people. Thefe was ample
discussion and there Is a public man
date in manifest understanding. Amer
lea is ready to encourage, eager to in
itiate. anxious to participate IN any
seemly program likely to lessen theI
probability Of war and promote that
brotherhood of mankind which must bel
Gods highest conception of human RE-
latIOnShlp. Because We cherish Ideals of
justice and peace. because we appraise
International comfy. and helpful reIa-
ti0mShip no less highly than any people
of the world. we aspire to a high place
in the moral leadership Of civilization
and we hold 4 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 beth con
tinents. Mankind needs q worldwide
bCnediction of understanding. 1t is
needed among individuals, among peo-.
pies. among governments, and 1t Will
inaugurate an era of good feeling to
mark the birth of a new order. In such
understanding men viii strike confident
~ for the promotion Of their better re
Iatit u4'..ref and nations will promote the
comities 30 essential to peace.
Trade Ties Bind Closely.
We must understand that ties of
trade bind nations in closest intimacy
and none may receive except aS he gives
We have not strengthened ours In &c
cordance with our resources or our
genius, notably on our own continent.
where Il galaxy of republics reflect the
glory Of new world democracy. but in the
new order of finance and trade we mean
to promote enlarged activities and seek
expanded confidence.
Perhaps we can make no more help
full contribution by example than prove
a republics capacity to emerge from the
Wreckage of war While the world
cIubittgred travail did not leave Us dev
astated lands nor desOlated cities, left
no gaping wounds: no breast with hate,
it did involve us in the deIrium of eX-I
penditure. in expanded currency and
credits. in unbalanced industry, in UNI
Speakabln waste and disturbed relation
ships. While it uncovered our portion
of hateful selhshneSS at home, 1t also
revealed the heart Of America as sound
and fearless and beating in confidence
Anid it all we have riveted the gaze
of all civilization to the unselishness and
the Righteousness of representative. dem.
ocracy. where our freedom never has
made offensive warfare. never has sought
never has turned to the arbitrament of
arms until reason had been exhausted.
When the governments of earth shall
have established n freedom like our own
and shall have sanctioned the pursuit Of
peace as we have practiced it. ! believe
the last sorrow and the final sacrifice of
international warfare Will have been
written.
Cur Supreme Task.
Our supreme task IS the resumption of
our onward normal way. RGnconstruc-
tion. rcadjustmcnt. restoration-aH these
must follow. I would like to have them.
II it win tighten the spirit and add to the
resolution with which we take up the
task, let me repeat for our nation. we
shall give no people lust cause to make
war upon Us. We hold no national preju-
dices. we entertain no spirit of revenge,
we do not hate, we do not covet. we
dream of TO conquest, nor boast of armed
proves.
If. despite this attitude, war is again
forced upon Us, / earnestly hope a way