Perth Amboy evening news., 1921-03-04
CONTINUED FROM mage ~

perhaps we can make no more
helpful contribution by example
than prove a republics capacity
to emerge from the wreckage of
war. While the worlds embittered
travail did not leave US devastated
lands o desolated cities, left no
gaping wounds. no breast with hate,
it did involve US in the delirium of
expenditure. in expanded currency
and credits, in unbalanced industry.
IN u~nspeakable waste and disturb
ed relationships. While 1t uncov-
cred our portion of hateful selfish
ness at home, it also revealed the
heart OF America as sound and fear
less and beating in confidence un-
falling.
Amid il all we have riveted the
gaze of all civilization to the unset
fishness and the righteousness of
representative democracy. where
our freedom v has made often
sive warfare. never has sought ter
ritorial ACKNOWLEDGEMENT through
force. never has turned to the arbi-
trament of arms until reason had
been exhausted. When the govern
nients of earth shall have establish
ed q freedom like our W and shall
have sanctioned the pursuit Of peace
81 w 1NAAGN
the last sorrow and the final sacri-
ice of International warfare will
have been written.
Our Supreme Task
"Our supreme task Is the resump-
ton of our onward normal way. Re-
construction, reimbursement, reStora-
tion-all these must follow. l would
like to have them. II it will 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 just cause to make
war upon us. We hold no national
prejudices, we entertain no spirit of
revenge. we do not hate, we do not
.covet, we dream of no conquest, nor
boast of armed prowess.
If, despite this attitude. war is
again forced upon US. l earnestly
hope q way may be found, which
will unity our individual and collec-
tive strength and ~consecrate all
America. materially and spiritually.
body and soul, to national defense.
j can vision the ideal republic.
where every man and woman is
called under the flag for assignment
10 duty. for whatever service. mill
ltary or civic, the individual is best
dtted, where we may call to univer-
sal service every plant. agency or
facility, all in the sublime sacrifice
for country and not one penny of
war profit shall inure to the benefit
of private individual, corporation or
combination, but all above the nor
NAL shall flow into the defense chest
of the nation. There is something
inherently wrong, something out of
accord with the ideals of represen-
tative democracy when one portion
of our citizenship turns its activity
70 private gain amid defensive war
while another is fighting. sacrificing
or dying for national preservation.
Unity of Spirit and Purpose
"Out of such universal service
will come a new unity OF spirit and
purpose, a new confidence and con-
secration, which would make III
defense impregnable, u triumph
assured. Then we should have lit
tle or no disorganization OF our &C.
onomic. industrial and commercial
xystems at home, no staggering war
debts. no swollen fortunes to iout
~A4R1hces of our soldiers. no ex-
cuse for sedition. no pitiable slack
erism, no outrages OF reason. Envy
and jealousy would have no soil for
their menacing development and
revolution would be without the
passion which engenders it.
"a regret for the mistakes of yes
must not, however, blind US
to the tasks of today. War
left such an aftermath. There has
been staggering loss Of life, and
measureless wastage Of materials.
Nations are still cropping for return
stable ways. Discouraging in
debtedness confronts us like all the
war togn nations. and these obliga-
tons must be provided for. No civ
iiization can survive reputation.
1--WE can reduce the abnormal ex-
penditures and we will. We a
strike at war taxation and we must.
We must face the grim necessity.
with full knowledge that the task
50 TO be solved, and we must proceed
with a full realization thai no statute
enacted by man can repeal the in
exorable laws of nature. Our most
dangerous tendency is to expect too
much of government and at the same
time do for it too little.
I'VE contemplate the immediate
task OF putting our public house
hold In order. We need a rigid and
yet sane economy combined with
nscal justice and it must be attended
by individual prudence and thrift
which are so essential to this try
ing hour and reassuring for the tu-
ture.
Reflection OF Wars Reaction
1.-THE business world reflects the
disturbance of wars reaction. Here
In follows the life blood of material
existence. The economic mechan-
ism is intricate and its parts inter-
dependent and has suffered the
shocks and Jars incident to abnormal
demands. Credit mutations and price
upheavals. The normal balances
have been impaired. the channels OF
distribution have been clogged, the
relations of labor and management
have been strained. We must seek
the readjustment with care and
courage. Our people must give and
take. Prices must reflect the reced-
ing fever OF war activities. Perhaps
we never shall know h old levels
of wage again, because war invar-
iabIy readjusts compensations and
the necessities of life will show their
lnseparable relationship. but we must
strive for normally to reach stabtl-
ity. All the penalties will not be
light nor evenly distributed.
There is no way of making them
SO. There is no instant step from
disorder to order. We must face a
condition OF grim reality. charge off
our losses and start afresh. 1t is
the Oldest lesson of civilization. l
would like government to do all IL
can to mitigate them. In under
standing. in mutually Of interest. in
concern for the common good our
task be solved.
mo altered system will work a
miracle. Any wild experiment will
only add to the confusion. Our best
assurance lies In efficient administra-
ffon of orr prOyen system.