The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1921-03-11
America Anxious to Participate
in Any SeemIy Program Likely
to Lessen Probability of War
and Promote World Peace.
ASSOCIATION FOR COUNSEL
Make Offensive Warfare So Hateful
That Governments and Peoples Who
Resort to II Must Prove the Right
eousness of Their Cause or Stand as
Outlaws Before Bar of Civilization.

was as follows:
My countrymen-When one surveys
the world about him after the great
storm, noting the marks of destruc-
tion and yet rejoicing in the rugged
ness of the things which withstOod
It, if he is an American he breathes
the clarified atmosphere with a strange
mingling of regret and new hope. We
have seen world passion spend its
fury, but we contemplate a republic
mistaken and hold our civilization Sc
cure. Liberty-liberty within the law
and civilization are inseparated, and,
though both were threatened, we find
them now secure; and there comes to
Americans the profound assurance
that our representative government is
the highest expression and surest
guaranty of both.
Standing in this presence, mindful
of the sOlemnity of this occasion, feel
ing 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 inspira-
ton of the founding fathers. Surely
there must have been Gods intent in
the making of this new world re-
public. Ours is an organic law which
had but one ambiguity, and we saw
that effaced in a baptism Of sacrifice
nd int ha
nation supreme and its concord in
spring. We have seen the world rivet
its 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 old world scoffed at our
experiment; today our foundations Of
political and social belief stand I'M
shaken, a precious inheritance to our
selves, an inspiring example of free
dom and civilization to all mankind.
Let us express renewed and strength
ened devotion in grateful reverence
for the immortal beginning and, utter
our confidence in the supreme full /!
fillment
Progress Proves Wisdom II
The recorded progress Of our re-
public materially and spiritually, IT. |
self proves the wisdom Of the inner
ited policy of ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 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 in
stance, may determine.
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 party TO no
permanent military alliance. 1t can
enter into no political commitments,
nor assume any economic obligations
which will subject our decisions to
any other than our own authority.
am sure our own people will not
misunderstood, nor will the world
inisconstrue. We have no thought to
Impede the paths to closer relation
ship. We wish to promote understand
ing We want to 60 our part in max
fng offensive warfare so hateful that
governments and peoples who resort
90 it must prove the righteousness Of
their cause or stand as outlaws be-
fore the bar Of civilization.
Association fer Counsel
We are ready to associate ourselves
with the nations Of the world, great
and small. FOR conference, for coun-
sci. 10 seek the expressed views Of
world opiniSnj; to recommend n way
a. approximate disarmament and re-
lieve the crushing burdens Of military
and naval establishments. We elect
Co participated In suggesting plans for
mediation. Cancellation and arbitra-
tiun and would gladly join In that
expressed conscience Of progress
which seeks to clarity and write the
laws Il international relationship and
establish world court for the dis
position Of such justicible questions
as nations are agreed to submit
therein. In expressing aspirations In
seeking practical plans, In translating
bumanity's new concept Of righteous
ness and justice and its hatred II war
into recommended action we are
ready most heartily to unite. but every
commitment must be made in the ex-
ercisp u cur national sovereignty.
Sincr freedom impelled and independ-
emsr inspired and nationality exalted
a Va, rid sIner--nvcrnment Is contrary