Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1921-03-10

Washington, March 4.-President
Harding's inaugural address was as
follows:
My countrymen-When one SURVEYS
the world about him after the great
storm, noting the marks Of destruction
ana yet rejoicing in the ruggedness of
the things which withstood it. If he is
an American he breathes the clarified
atmosphere with strange mingling
OF regret and new hope. We have seen
world passion spend its fury, but we
contemplate our republic mistaken,
ana mold our civilization secure. Liber-
ty-l1berty within the law-and CIV
ll1zat1on are inseperable, and though
poth were threatened, we find them
now secure. and there comes to Amer
leans the profound assurance that our
representative government is the high
est expression and surest guaranty of
both.
Standing In this presence, mindful
Of the solemnity of this OCCASION feel
ing the emotions which no one NAV
know until he senses the great weight
OF responsibility for himself, I must
utter my belief in the divine inspira-
ton 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 a baptism of sacrifice and blood,
with union maintained, the nation SUI
preme 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 beginning, the
world scoffed at our experiment,
today our foundations of political
and social belief stand mistaken, a
precious Inheritance to ourselves, an
inspiring example of freedom and civ
ilization to all mankind. Let us ex-
press renewed and strengthened de-
votion, in grateful reverence for the
immortal beginning. and utter our con-
fidence in the supreme fulfllment.
Progress Proves Wisdom.
The recorded progress of our re-
public, materially and spiritually, in
itself proves the wisdom Of the In
herited policy of nOn-involvement 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
destinies 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 in
stance, may determine.
Our eyes never will be blind to
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, fra
ternity and cooperation. We crave
fellowship, 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 alliance. 1t
can enter into no political commit
ments nor assume any economic obli-
cations which will subject our deci-
sions to any other than our own au-
thority.
l am sure our own people will not
misunderstood, nor the world miscon-
strue. We have no thought to impede
the paths to closer relationship. We
wish to promote understanding. We
want to do our part in making often
sive warfare SO hateful that govern