Evening star., 1921-03-04
Executive Declares Supreme u S. Task Is Resumption
Of Onward Way to Normal Urging Tariff Protection;
SaysRepublic WorldSuper-Go Government


My countrymcn. when one sur
veys the world about him after the
great storm, noting the marks OF
destruction and yet rejoicing in
the ruggedness of the things
which withstood it. il he is an
American he breathes the clarified
atmosphere with strange min
Cling or regret and new hope. We
have seen world passion spend its
fury. but we contemplate our re-
public unshaken and hold our
civilization secure. Liberty-lib-
erty within the law-and civiliZa-
tion are inseparable, and though
both were threatened We find them
now secure. and there comes to
Americans the profound assurance
that our representative govern
ment is the highest expression and
surest guaranty of both.
Standing in this presence. mind
full of the solemnity of this occa-
sion. feeling the emotions which
no one may know until he senses
the great weight of responsibility
for himself. l 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 effaced in baptism of sacri-
flee and blood. with Union main
tained. the nation supreme and it's
concord inspiring. We have seen
the world rivet it's hopeful gaze on
the great truths on which the
founders wrought We have seen
civil. human and religious liberty
verified and glorified. In the be-
ginning the old world scoffed at
our experiment.; today our founda-
tions Of political and social BELIEF
stand unshaken, precious in
heritance to ourselves. an inspir-
ing example Of freedom and civil
ization 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
fllment.
Progress Proves Wisdom.
The recorded progress of our re-
public, materially and spiritually,
in itself proves the wisdom of the
inherited policy of non n-involvment in
old world affairs.
Confident of our ability to work
out our own destiny and jealousy
guarding our right to do so. we
seek no part in directing the des-
TIMES of the old world.
We do not mean to be entangled.
We will accept no responsibility
except as our own conscience and
Judgment in each instance may de-
termine.
Our eyes never will be blind to a
developing menace, our ears never
deaf to the call of civilization. We
recognize the new order in the world,
with the closer contacts which prog
ress 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 on the foundation
laid by the inspired fathers-can be
a party to no permanent military all
lance 1t can enter into no political
commitments nor assume any
economic obligations or subject our
decisions to any other than our own
authority.
am sure our own people will not
misunderstood nor will the world
misconstrue. We have no thought
to impede the paths to closer rela-
tionship. 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 ciyili-
cation.
Association for Counsel.
We are ready to associate our
selves with the nations of the world,
great and small. for conference, for
counsel, to seek the expressed views
OF world opinion, to recommend a
way to approximate disarmament
and relieve the crushing burdens of
military and naval establishments.
We elect to participate in suggesting
plans for mediation, Cancellation
and arbitration, and would gladly
join in that expressed conscience of
progress. which seeks to clarity and
write the laws of international re-
lationship and csta blish d world court
for the disposition of such JUS
ticiable questions as nations are
agreed to submit thereto. In express
ing aspirations, in seeking practical
plans. i'll translating humanity's new
concept of righteousness, justice 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 ma
tional sovereignty.
Since freedom impelled- and inde-
pendence inspired and nationality
exalted, world supergovernment
is contrary to everything we cherish
and can have no sanction by our re-
public. This is not seIfishness. 1t
is sanctity. 1t is not aloofness, it is
security. IT is not suspicion of others
il is patriotic adherence TO the things
which made US what We are.
To-day, better than ever before, we