The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1921-03-17
OUTLINES DUTY
BEFORE NATION
Presidents Inaugural Address
Deals Chiefly With Re-
construction.
ACCEPTS MANDATE OF PEOPLE
Electoral Vote Construed as Directing
? Continued Policy Of Non-InVoIve-
ment in World Affairs-Tariff
Readiustment

Washington, March 4-President
Harding's inaugural address, delivered
today, was substantially as follows:
My Countrymen-When one surveys the
world about him after the great storm
noting the marks of destruction and yet
rejoicing IN the ruggedness OF the Things
which withstood it, If he is an American
ne breathes the clarified atmosphere with
strange mingIing Of regret and new
nope We have seen world of passion
spend It's fury, but we contemplate our
republic mistaken, and hold our civiliza-
ton secure. Liberty-liberty within the
iaW-and civilization are inseparable, and
though both were threatened, we find
them now secure and threre comes TO
Americans the profound assurance that
our representative government is the
nignest expression and surest guaranty
Of both.
Standing in this presence, mindful of
the solemnity of this occasion, feeling the
emotions which no one may know until
he senses the great weight of responsible
lty for himself, must utter my belief in
the divine inspiration of the founding
Gods intent in the making of this new
world republic. Ours is an organic law
which had but one ambiguity and saw
that effaced in a baptism of sacrifice and
blood, with union maintained, the nation
have seen the world rivet its hopeful gaze
on the great truths on which the found
sTs wrought We have seen civil. human
and rellgious liberty verified and glorihed.
In the beginning, the world scoffed at our
experiment, today our foundations of pO-
Hucal and social belief stand mistaken,
precious inheritance to ourselves, an in
spring example of freedom and ciViliza-
ton to all mankind. Let US express re-
| newed and STRENGTHENED devotion. in
! grateful reverence for the immortal be-
| ginning, and utter our confidence in the
supreme fulhllment-
No ENHANCEMENT With Old World.
The recorded progress of our republic.
materially and spiritually, in itself proves
! the wisdom of the inherited policy of non
! involvement in old world affairs. Conf
! dent of our ability to work out our own
/ destiny, and jeaIously guarding our right
| to do so, we seek no part in directing the
| deSttnieS OF the old world. We do not
/ mean to be entangled. We will accept
| no responsibility except as our own con-
! science and judgment, in each instance,
! may determine
Our eyes never will be blind to a
! developing menace, our ears never deaf
| to the call of civilization We recOg
nize the new order of the world, with
] the closer contacts which progress has
wrought We sense the call of the
human heart for fellowship. fraternity
and co-operau ton We crave fellow
/ ship, and harbOr no hate. But Amer
! lea, our America, the America builded
| on the foundation laid by the inspired
| nent military alliance. 1t can enter
| into no political commitments nor as
| sumo any economic obligations which
! will subject our divisions to any other
| than our own authority.
VIII Associate in Counsel.
We are ready to associate ourselves
| with the nations of the world great
| and small, for conference, for counsel,
To seek the expressed views OF world
opinion, to recommend a way to ap-
| proxImate a disarmament and relieve
| the crushing burdens OF military and
| naval establishments We elect to par
! ticipate in suggesting plans for media
| ton, Cancellation and arbitration, and
! would gladly join in that expressed
| conscience of progress which seeks to
| clarity and write the laws of inter
| world court, for the disposition of such
| justiciable questions nations are
| agreed TO submit thereto, but every
commitment must be made in the ex-
| erclSe of our national sovereignty.
| Since freedom impelled, and independ-
| ence inspired, and nationality exalted,
a world super-government is contrary
| to everything we cherish, and can have
| no sanction by our republic. This is
| not selfishness it is Sanctity. 1t is
not aIoofness, it is security. 1t is not
suspicion of others. it is patriotic
! adherence to the things which made
! US what we are.
We have come to new realization OF
sal of our nation by the world The I'M
! selhshness of these United States is a
thing proven. Our devotion to peace for
ourselves and for the world is well estab-
lished- Our concern for preserved civili-
cation has had its imprisoned and heroic
expression There was no American fail
ure to resist the attempted reversion of
civilization There will be no failure to-
Declares Nation Has Spoken.
The success of our popular government
rests wholly upon the correct interpreta-
ton of the deliberate, Intelligent, depend
able popular will of America In a DELHI
crate questioning of a suggested change
Of national policy, where Internationally
was to SuperSede nationality, we turned
to referendum of the American people
There was ample discussion, and there is
republic mandate in manifest under
standing
America is ready to encourage, eager to
initiate. anxious to participate in any
seemly program likely to lessen the prob
ability of war and promote that brother
hood of mankind which must be God :
highest conception of human relationship.
We aspire 10 high place in the moral
leadership of civilization; and we hold a
maintained America, the proven republic,
the unShaken temple of representative
democracy, to be not only an inspirat ton
and example, but the highest agency of
strengthening good will and promoting
accord on both continents.
Mankind needs a worldwide benediction
of understanding. Il is needed among in
dividuals, among peoples among govern
ments, and it will inaugurate an era of
good feeling TO mark the birth of q new
order.
United States as an Object Lesson.
We must understand the ties of trade
may receive except as he gives In the
new order Of finance and trade we mean
1 to promote enlarged activities and seek
expanded confidence.
Perhaps can make no more helpful
contribution by example than a republic 5
capacity to emerge from the wreckage of
war. While the worlds embittered travail
did not leave US devastated lands nor deS-
olated cities, left no gaping wounds, no
breast filed with hate. it did involve US
in the delirium of expenditures. in ex-
banded currency and credits, in unbal-
anced industry, in unspeakabIe waste and
disturbed relationships. While il uncoV-