The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-03-05

cause, or stand as outlaws before the | bar of civilization.
 ASSOCIATION FOR COUNSEL
 "We are ready to associate ourselves with the nations of the world, great and small for conference, to counsel, to seek | the expressed views of world opinion, to recommend way to approximate dis armament and relieve the crushing bur dens of military and naval establish 1 ments. We elect to participate in sug- gesting' plans for mediation, conciliation and arbitration, and would gladly join in that expressed conscience of progress, which seeks to cla5fy and write the laws of international relationship. and estao- fish world court for the disposition of such justiciable questions as nations are agreed to submit thereto. In expressing aspirations. in seeking practical plans, in translating hurnanity's new concept of righteousness, justice and it's hatred of war into recommended action,> we are ready most heartily to unite, but every commitment must be made in the exer- else of our national sovereignty.
 Since freedom impelled, and inde- pendence inspired, and nationality ex- alted, world super-government is con- trary to everything we cherish and can have no sanction by our republic This is not selfishness. It is sanctity. It is not aloofness; 1t is security. It is not suspicion of others; it is patriotic ad- herence to the things which made us what we are.
 To-day, better than ever before, VIC know the aspirations of human kind and share them. We have come to new realization of our place in the world, and a new appraisal of our nation by the world. The unselfishness of these United States is thing proven, our devotion to peace for ourselves and for the world is well established, our concern for pre- served civilization has had it's impas- stoned and heroic expressions. There was no American failure to resist the at tempted reversion of civilization; there will be no failure today or tomorrow.
 REST ON POPULAR WILL
 "The success of our popular gov ern- ment rests wholly upon the correct in- terpretation of the deliberate, intelligent, dependable popular will of America In deliberate question of a suggested change of national policy, where internationally was to supercede nationality, we turned to a referendum of the American people. There was ample discussion, and there Is a public mandate In manifest under standing.
 America is ready to encourage, eager to initiate, anxious to partici- pate in any seemly programme likely to lessen the probability of war and promote that brotherhood of mankind, which must be Gods highest concep- tion of human relationship. Because we cherish ideals of justice and peace, because we appraise international comity and helpful relationship no less highly than any people of the world, we aspire to a high place in the moral leadership of civilization and we hold maintained America, the proven re- public the unshaken temple of repre- sentative democracy, to be not only an insriration and example, but the highest agency of strengthening good will and promoting accord on both continents.
 Mankind needs a worldwide bene- diction of understanding. It is needed among individuals, among people, among governments, and 1t will inau- gurate an era of good feeling to marx .sI the birth of new order. To such un- derstanding men will strike confident : ly for promotion of their better rela- tionship, and nations will promote the comities so essential to peace.
 TRADE TIES BIND CLOSELY
 I've must understand that ties of trade bind nations in closest :ntima- cy, and none may receive except as he gives. We have not strengthened ours : in accordance with our resources. or our genius, notably on our own conti- nent, where a galaxy of republics re- fleet the glory of new world democra- cy, but in the new order of finance and trade. we mean to promote en- larged activities and seek expanded confidence.
 Perhaps we can make no more help full contribution by example than 1 prove republics capacity to emerge fl om the wreckage of the war. While the worlds embittered travail did not leave us devastated lands, nor deso lated cities, left no gaping wounds, no breast with hate, it did involve us In the delirium of expenditure in rx- banded currency and credits. in un- balanced industry, in unspeakable waste and disturbed relationships. While it uncovered our portion of hateful selfishness at home, it also revealed the heart of America as sound and fearless, and beating in confidence unfailing.
 Amid it all, we have riveted the game of all civilization to the unsel- fishress and the righteousness of rep resentative democracy, where our free dom never has made offensive warfare, fever has sought territorial aggran- dtzement through force, never has turned to the arbitrament of arms un- til reason had been exhausted. When the governments of earth shall have ! established a freedom like our own, and shall have sanctioned the pursuit |1 of peace as we have practiced it. I believe that the last sorrow and the final sacrifice of international warfare will have been written.
 OUR SUPREME TASK "Our supreme task Is the resurpp- ton of our onward normal way-tre- construction, readjustment, restoration ali these must follow, I would like to have them. If 1t will tighten the spirit and add to the resolution with which we take up the task let me re- peat 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, I earnestly hope way may be found which will unify our individual and collective strength