Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1921-03-11
An America OF Homes

We would not have an America llv.
ing within and for herself alone, but
we would have herself reliant, indie
pendent and even nobler, stronger and
richer. believing In our higher stand
ards, reared through constitutional lib.
erty and maintained opportunity, we In
wife the world TO the same heights.
But pride In things wrought Is no re-
ileX of a completed task. Common
welfare Is the goal of our national en-.
deavor, Wealth is lnimlcal to vel
fare 1t ought to be its frlendliest
agency. There never can be equality
Of rewards or possessions so long as
the human plan contains varied talents
and differing degrees of industry and
thrift. But ours ought to be country
free from great blotches Of distressed
property. We ought to find way to
guard against the periis and penalties
of unemployment We want an Amerl-
ca Of homes, illumlned with hope and
happiness. where mothers, freed from
the necessity for long hours of toll be.
yond their own doors, may preside as
BELTS the hearthstone Of American clti.
zenshp. We want the cradle of Amer
lean childhood rocked under conditions
SO wholesome and so hopeful that no
blight may touch II In It's development,
and we want to provide that no selfish
interest, no material necessary. no lack
Of opportunity shall prevent the gain
ing of that education so essential to
best citizenship. There is no short cut
to the making Of these ideals into glad
realities. The world has witnessed
again and again the futility and the
mischief of i'll considered remedies for
social and economic disorders. But we
are mindful today as never before Of
the friction of modern lndustrlallsm
and we must learn Its causes and re-.
duce its evil consequences by sober and
tested methods. Where genius has
made for great possibilities justice and
happiness must be reflected In great
er common welfare.
Service the Supreme Commitment
Service is the supreme commitment
of life. | would rejoice to acclaim the
era of tie Golden Rule and crown it
with the autocracy Of service pledge
an administration wherein all the
agencies of government are called to
serve and ever promote an understands
Ing of government purely as an ex.
preston of the popular will.
One cannot stand in this presence
and be unmindful Of the tremendous
responsibility. The worlds upheaval
has been added heavily to our tasks,
but with the realization comes the
surge of high resolve, and there Is re.
assurance In belief In the God given
destiny Of our republic. If felt that
there Is to be sole responsibility In the
executive for the America of tomorrow
| should shrink from the burden. But
here are hundred millions, with com.
mon concern and shared responsibility
answerable to God and country. The
republic summons them to their duty,
and Invite cooperation. accept my
part with single mindedness of purpose
and humility of spirit and implore the
favor and guidance Of God in his heav.
en-, With these am unafrald and
confidently face the future. l have
taken the solemn oath of Office on that
passage of Holy Writ wherein II is
asked:
what doth the Lord require of thee
but to do justly and to love mercy and
to walk humbly with thy GodT This !
plight to God and country.