The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1921-12-07

privilege to come to the Congress
with the republic at peace with all
the nations of the world. More, ii Is
equally gratifying to report that
our country is not only free from
every impending menace of war,
out there are growing assurances
OF the permanency of the peace
which we so deeply cherish.
FOR approximately ten years we
nave dwelt amid menaces of war
or as participants in wars actuaIi-
Ties. and the inevitable aftermath.
with its disordered conditions, has
added to the difficulties of govern
ment which adequately cannot be
appraised except by those who are
IN immediate contact and know the |
responsibilities. Our tasks would |
be less difficult if We had only our
selves to consider. but so much of |
the world was involved. the disor-
dered conditions are so well-nigh 1
universal, even among nations not
engaged in actual warfare, that no
permanent readjustments can be
effected without consideration of
our ineseapable relationship to
world affairs In finance and trade.
Means to Help.
Indeed We should be unworthy of
our best traditions il we were I'M
mindful of social, moral and politi-
can conditions which are not of d. |
rect concern to us, but which do
appeal to the human sympathies
and the very becoming interest of
a people blest with our national |
good fortune.
1t is not my purpose to bring to |
ton. In the main such a program
must be worked out by the nations
more directly concerned. They must /
themselves f5rn to the heroic rem
edies for the menacing conditions |
under which they are struggling, |
then we can help, and we mean to /
help. We shall do so unselfshly |
because there is compensation IN
the consciousness of assisting. sell |
nshly because the commerce and |
international exchanges in trade, |
which marked our high tide OF for
tunate advancement, are possible |
only when the nations of all con-
tinents are restored to stable or
der and normal relationship.
Needs Aid of Congress.
In the main the contribution of
this republic to restored normally |
in the world must come through |
the initiative of the executive
branch of the government, but the
best of intentions and most care
fully considered purposes would
fail utterly il the sanction and
the cooperation of Congress were
not cheerfully accorded.
1 am very sure we shall have no
conflict of opinion about constitu-
tional duties or authority. During
the anxieties of war. when neces-
sity seemed compelling, there were
excessive grants of authority and
an extraordinary concentration of
powers in the chief executive. The
repeal of wartime legislation and
the automatic expirations which
attend the peace proclamations
have put an end to these emer-
gency excuses, but l have the wish
to go further than that. l want to
join you in restoring, in the most
cordial way. the spirit OF co-or-
dination and cooperation, and that
mutually Of confidence and respect
which is necessary in representa-
tive popular government.
Call for Harmony.
Encroachment upon the functions
of Congress or attempted dictation
of its policy are not to be thought
of, much less attempted, but there
is an insistent call for harmony of
purpose and concord of action to
speed the solution of the difficult
problems confronting both the leg
islative and executive branches of
the government
II is worth while to make allu-
sion here to the character of our
government, mindful as one must
be that an address to you is no less
a message to all our people, for
whom you speak most intimately
Ours is popular government
through political parties. We divide
along political lines, and l would
ever have it so. / do not mean that
partisan preferences should hinder
any public servant in the perform
ance OF a conscientious and pa
triotic Official duty. We saw parti- |
san lines utterly obliterated when |
war imperiled. and our faith in the |
republic was riveted anew. We
ought not find these partisan lines |
Obstructing the expeditions solution |
of the urgent problems of peace.
Responsibility of Party.
Granting that We are fundamen-
tally a representative popular gov
eminent, with political parties the |
governing agencies. l believe the |
political party in power should as
sumo responsibility, determine upon |
policies in the conference which |
supplements conventions and cleo |
ton campaigns. and then strive for |
achievements through adherence to |
the accepted policy.
There is vastly greater security. |
immensely more of the national |
viewpoint, much larger and promp-
ter accomplishment where our divi-
sions are along party lines. in the |
broad and loftier sense, than to
divide geographically, or accord
ing to pursuits, or personal fol-
lowing. For a century and a
third parties have been charged
with responsibility and held to
strict accounting. When they fail
they are relieved of authority; and
the system has brought US to a
national eminence no less than a
world example.
Sees Compromise Need.
Necessarily, legislation is a mat
ter Of compromise. The full ideal
is seldom attained. In that meet
ing of minds Necessary to insure
results there must and will be ac-
commodations and compromises,
but in the estimate of convistions |
and sincere purposes the supreme
responsibility to national interest
must not be ignored. The shield
to the high minded pubic servant