Perth Amboy evening news., 1921-03-04
[Ry rhe Associated Press. ]

WASHINGTON. March l.-Presi-
dent Harding in his inaugural ad-
dress said:
MY countrymen, when one sur
veys the world about him after the
great storm, noting the marks OF de-
struction and yet rejoicing in the
ruggedness of the things which with
stood it, if he is an American he
breathes the clarified atmosphere
with a strange mingling of regret
and new hope. We have seen world
passion spend its fury. but we con-
template our republic mistaken.
and hold our civilization secure.
Liberty-Liberty within the law
and civilization are inseparable and
though both were threatened we
find them now secure. and there
comes to Americans the profound
assurance that our representative
government is the highest expression
and surest guaranty of both.
Standing in this presence. mind
full of the solemnity of this occasion.
feeling the emotions which no one
may know until he senses the great
weight of responsibility for himself.
| must utter my belief in the Divine
inspiration of the founding fathers.
Surely there must have been God ;
intent in the making of this new
world republic. Ours is an organic
law which had but one ambiguity.
ind we saw that effaced in a baptism
of sacrifice and blood. with union
maintained. the nation supreme and
its concord inspiring. We have seen
the world rivet its hopeful gaze on
the great truths on which the found
ers wrought We have seen civil,
human and religious liberty verified
and glorified. In the beginning. the
old world scoffed at our experiment.
today our foundations of political
and social belief stand unshaken,
a precious inheritance TO ourselves.
an inspiring example of freedom and
civilization TO all mankind. Let Us
express renewed and strengthened
devotion, in grateful reverence for
the immortal beginning. and utter
our confidence in the Supreme full
fillment.
Progress Proves Wisdom
"The recorded progress of our re-
public, materially and spiritually,
in itself proves the wisdom of the
inherited policy of non-involvement
in the old world affairs. Confident
of our ability to work out our own
right to do so. we seek no part in di-
recting the destinies of the old world.
We do not mean TO be entangled. We
will accept no responsibility except
as our own conscience and judg-
ment in each instance may deter
mine.
"Our eyes never will be blind to a
developing menace, our ears never
deaf to the call of civiliza tion. We
recognize the new order in the
world. with the closer contacts which
progress has wrought. We sense
the call of the human heart for fell
lowship. fraternity and co-opera-
tion. We crave friendship and har
Dor no hate. But America. our
America. builded on the foundation
laid by the inspired fathers. can be
a party to no permanent military al
lance. 1t can enter into no politi-
cal commitments. nor assume any
economic obligations or subject our
decisions to any other than our own
authority.
81 am sure our own people will
not misunderstood nor will the world
misconstrue. we have no thought 10
impede the paths to closer relation
ship. We wish to promote under
standing. We want to do our part
in making offensive warfare. SO hate
full that governments and peoples
who resort to it must prove the
righteousness of their cause or stand
as outlaws before the bar of civili-
cation.
Association For Counsel
I'VE are ready TO associate our
selves with the nations Of the world,
great and small. for conferences,