The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-03-04
resident Harding Inaugural Address

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deals Of justice AMI peace. be-,
rauSe " aDpraise International |
comfy and helpful Relationship NO
less highly than any people Of the
world. We asbire to . high place in
The moral Leadership Of civilization
and W hold : maintained America,
he proven republic. the unshaken
temple Of representative democracy,
to be not only IN Inspiration and
example but the highest agency
Of strengthening good will and pro-
noting accord on both continents.
Mankind needs = worldwide
benediction Of understanding. It
is needed among individuals, among
peoples. among governments, and it
Will tnaugurate an era Of good feel
ing to mark the birth Of 1 new or
der. In such understanding men
will strive confidently for the pro-
motion Of their better relationships
and nations will promote the com
ides 80 essential to peace.
Trade Ties Bind Closely.
I'VE must understand that ties
OF trade bind nations in closest IN.
timacy and none may receive ex-
cept as he gives. We have not
strengthened ours in accordance
with our resources or our genius.
notably on our own continent.
Where q galaxy of republics re-
dect the glory Of new world de-
mocracy, but in the new order Of
finance and trade We mean to pro-
mote enlarged activities and seek
expanded confidence.
Perhaps we can make no more
helpful contribution by example
than prove q republics capacity to
emerge from the wreckage Of war.
While the worlds embittefed ira
vail did not leave MS devastated
lands nor desolated cities, left no
gaping wounds, no breast with hate,
it did involve US in the delirium
Of expenditure. in expanded cur
rency and credits, in unbalanced in
dustry, unspeakable waste and dis
turbed relationships. While it un-
covered our portion Of hateful self
ishness 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
gaze Of all civilization to the un-
selfishness and the Righteousness
Of representative democracy. where
our freedom never has made Of
fensive warfare, never has sought
territorial aggrandizement through
force, never has turned to the ar
bitrament Of arms until reason had
been exhausted. When the gov
ernments of earth shall have es-
tablished a freedom like our own
and shall have sanctioned the pur-
suit Of peace as we have practiced
it, l believe the last sorrow and
the final sacrifice Of internationa1
warfare will have been written.
| Our Supreme Task.
"Our supreme task is the re.
sumption Of our onward norma
way. Reconstruction, readjust
1nent, restoration-all these mus
follow. I would like to have them
II it will tighten the spirit ant
add to the resolution with whicl
we take up the task, let me repea
for our nation, we shall give nj
people just cause to make wal
upon US. We hold no national pre-
JUDGE, we entertain NO spirit q
revenge, we do not hate, we do no
covet, we dream of no conquest
nor boast Of armed prowess.
IF, despite this attitude, war i!
again forced upon US, l earnestl!
hope way may be found, whicl
will unity our individual and col
lective strength. and consecrate al
America, materially and spiritual
ly, body and soul. to national de
tense. l can vision the ideal re
public, where every man and wo
man is called under the flag 70
assignment to duty. for whateve
service, military or civic, the in
div;dual is best fitted, where "
may call to universal service ever
plant, agency or facility, all in tn
sublime sacrifice for country an
not one penny of war profit shal
enure to the benefit of private in
dividual, corporation, or combina
ton, but all above the normal shal
flow into the defense chest Of tn
nation. There is something inner
emily wrong, something out Of &C
cord with the ideals of representa-
tive democracy when one portion Q
our citizenship turns its activit
to private gain amid defensive wa
while another is fighting, sacrific
ing or dying for national preserva
ten.
Unity of Spirit and Purpose.
"Out of such universal servic
. will come a new unity OF spirit an
purpose, a new confidence and con
secration which would make GU
defense impregnable, our trump
assured. Then we should have lit
tie or no disorganization Of our eco
nomic, industrial and Commercial
systems at home, no staggering wa
debts, no swollen fortunes to hou
the sacrifices Of our soldiers, n
excuse for sedition. no pitiabl
slackerism, no outrages Of Treason
Envy and jealousy would have n
soil for their menacing develop
ment and revolution would be with
! MOTHER!