Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-12-08
HERE'S COMPLETE TEXT
OF HARDlNG'S MESSAGE

republic at peace with all the
nations of the world. More, it
Is equally gratifying to report
that our country is not only free
from every impending menace
of war, but there are growing
assurances of the permanency
Of the peace which we so deeply
cherish.
For approximately ten years
we have dwelt amid menaces of
war or as participants in wars
actualities, and the inevitable
aftermath, with it's disordered
conditions, has added to the diff
ficulties of government which
adequately cannot be appraised
except by those who are in i'm
mediate contact and know the
responsibilities Our tasks would
be less difficult if we had only
ourselves to consider, but SO
much of the world was involved,
the disordered conditions are so
well-nigh universal, even among
nations not engaged in actual
warfare. that no permanent re-
adjustments can be effected
without consideration Of our in
escapable relationship to world
affairs in finance and trade. In
deed, we should be unworthy Of
our best traditions if we were
.unmindful of social, moral and
political conditions which are
not of direct concern to us, but
which do appeal to the human
sympathies and the very becom-
ing interest of a people blest
with our national good fortune.
It is not my purpose to bring
to you a program of a world res
toration. In the main much
program must be worked out by
the nations more directly con-
cerned. They must themselves
turn to the heroic remedies for
the menacing conditions under
which they are struggling, then
we can help, and we mean to
help. We shall do so unselfish-
ly because there is compensa-
ton in the consciousness of as
sisting, selfishly because the
commerce and international ex-
changes in trade. which marked
our high tide of fortunate adj
vancement are possible only
WIISiI IllS lldIlOllo VI OH NOll-
tinents are restored to stable
order and normal relationship.
Congress Must Help.
In the main the contribution
of this republic to restored nor
malcy in the world must come
through the initiative of the
executive branch of the govern
ment but the best Of intentions
and most carefully considered
purposes would fail utterly If
the sanction and the co-opera-
ton of congress were not cheer
fully accorded.
am very sure we shall have
no conflict of opinion about con-
stitutionai duties or authority.
During the anxieties of war,
when necessity seemed COMPEL
ing, there were excessive grants
of authority and an eXtraordi-
larry concentration of powers in
the chief executive. The repeal
of wartime legislation and the
automatic expirations which at
tend the peace prOclamatiOnS
have put an end to these emer-
,gency excuses, but I have the
wish to go further than that. 1
want to join you in restoring,
in the most cordial way, the
spirit of coordination and CO.
operation and that mutually of
confidence and respect which is
necessary in representative popu-
lar government.
Encroachment upon the fune-
tons of congress or attempted
dictation Of it's policy are not to
be thought of, much less at
tempted, but there is am insist
ent call for harmony of purpose
and accord of action to speed the
solution of the difficult problems
confronting both the Legislative
and executive branches of the
government.
It is worth while to make al
fusion here to the character OF
our government, mindful as one
must be that an address to you
is no less message to all our
people, for whom you speak most
intimately. Ours is a popular
government through political
parties. We divide along politl-
cal lines, and L would ever have
it so. I do not mean that par
tisan preferences should hinder
any public servant in the per-
Torrance of a conscientious and
patriotic official duty. We saw
partisan lines utterly obliterated
when war imperiled and our
faith in the republic was riveted
anew. We ought not find these
partisan lines obstructing the ex-
peditious solution Of the urgent
problems Of peace.
Granting that we are funda-
mentally representative pop
ular government, with political
parties the governing agencies,
l believe the political party in
power should assume RESPONSE
bility, determine upon policies
in the conference which, supple
ments conventions and election
campaigns and then strive for
achievement through adherence
to the accepted policy.
Need of Parties
There is vastly greater secur-
ity, immensely more of the ma
tional viewpoint, much larger
and prompter accomplishment
where our divisions are along
party lines, in the broad and
loftier sense, than to divide geo.
graphically or according to pur-
y suits, or personal following. For
a century and a third, parties
have been charged with respon-
sibility and held to strict ac-
counting. When they fail they
are relieved of authority; and
the system has brought us to a
national eminence no less than
world example.
Necessarily, legislation is a
matter of compromise. The full
ideal is seldom attained. In that
meetings Of minds necessary to
insure results there must and
will be accommodations and COM
promises, but in the estimate Of
convictions and sincere pur- Uses
the supreme responsibility 10 the
national interest must not be ig