Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1921-11-17

Ali Demand Liberty and Justice.
All of US demand liberty and justice.
There ca not be one without the
other, and they must be held the I'M
questioned possession of all peoples.
Inherent rights are of God and the
tragedies of the world originate in
their attempted denial. The world to-
day is infringing their enjoyment by
arming to defend or deny, when simple
sanity calls for their recognition
through common understanding.
Out of the cataclysm of the World
war came new fellowships, new con-
victions, new aspirations. 1t is ours
to make the most of them. A world
staggering with debt needs its burden
lifted. Humanity, which has been
shocked by wanton destruction, would
minimize the agencies of that destruc-
ton. Contemplating the measureless
cost Of war and the continuing burden
of armament, all thoughtful peoples
wish for real limitation Of armament
and would like war outlawed. In So
berest reflection the worlds hundreds
of millions who pay in peace and die
in war wish their statesmen to turn
the expenditures for destruction into
means of construction, aimed at
higher state for those who live and
follow after.
War Growing More Cruel.
1t is not alone that the world cannot
readjust itself and cast aside the ex-
cess burdens without relief from the
leaders Of men, War has grown pro-
gressively cruel and more destructive
from the first recorded conflict to this
pregnant day, and the reverse order
would more become our boosted ciyiliz-
alton.
Gentlemen Of the conference, the
United States welcomes you with I'M
selfish hands We harbor no fears; we
have no sordid ends to serve; we sus-
pect no enemy; we contemplate or APP
prehend no conquest. Content with
what we have, we seek nothing which
is another's. We only wish to do with
you that finer, nobler thing which no
nation can do alone.
We wish to sit with you at the table
of international understanding and
good will. In good conscience, we are
eager to meet you frankly, and invite
and offer cooperation. The world de-
mands a sober contemplation of the
existing order and the realization that
there can be no cure without sacrifice,
not by one of us, but by all of US.
No Pride Need Be Humbled.
l do not mean surrendered rights, or
narrowed freedom, or denied aspira-
tons, or ignored national necessities.
Our republic would no more ask for
these than it would give. No pride
need be humbled no nationality sub
merged, but l would have mergence
of minds committing all of us to less
preparation for war and more enjoy
ment of fortunate peace.
The higher hopes come of the spirit
of our coming together 1t is but just
culiar positions. Nothing can be ac-
complished in disregard of national APP
prehensions. Rather we should act to-
gether to remove the causes of appre-
tensions. This is not to be done in In
trigue. Greater assurance is found in
the exchange of simple honesty and
directness, among men resolved to ac-
complish as becomes leaders among
nations, when civilization itself has
come to its crucial test
All Want Less Armament.
1t is not to be challenged that gov
eminent fails when the excess of its
cost robs the people of the way to
happiness and the opportunity to
achieve. If the finer sentiments were
not urging, the cold, hard facts of ex-
cessive costs and the eloquence of eco
Monies would urge us to reduce our
ornaments. If the concept of better
order does not appeal, then let us
ponder the burden and the blight of
continued competition
1t is nof TO be denied that the world
has swung along throughout the ages
without, needing this call from the
kindlier hearts Of men. But the same
world never before was so tragically
brought to realization of the utter fu-
tility of passions sway when reason
and conscience and fellowship point a
nobler way.
/ can speak officially only for the
United States. One hundred millions
frankly want less of armament and
none of war. Wholly free from guile,
sure in our own minds that we harbor
no unworthy designs we accredt the
world with the same good intent SO
| welcome you, not alone in good will
and high purpose, but with high faith.
Service to All Mankind.
We are met for a service to man
kind. In all simplicity, in all honesty
and all honor, there may be written
here the avowals of a world conscience
refined by the consuming fires of war,
and made more sensitive by the anx-
ious aftermath | hope for that under
standing which will emphasize the
guarantees of peace, and for commit
ments to less burdens and a better
order which will tranquilize the world.