The Washington herald., 1921-04-13
The Message.

"-sag to the last Congress it was from a sick
bed to a Republican majority. President
Harding delivered his first message to a Congress
Overwhelmingly of his own party in both houses.
AAr. Wilson spoke to hostile majority; Mr.. Harding
10 one strikingly friendly.
The outstanding features OF his message are, first,
b note of optimism backed by strain of decision
and determination which denoted conclusions reach
kedr and not to be changed. Second discussion of
domestic affairs stripped of ideasm and altruism, of
eny phrasing epigrammatc tendency, treating each
Subject the basis of just plain, everyday COM
Lnlonsense.
Thousands, however, who read the message will
be Inclined it in their interest and judg-
IInent They will place the last part treating of for
eign relations, first, and all the last Disregard
lit as anyone may, there is large and often quite
Icontrolling spirit of arusm in the American peo-
pe, and to these the message will be disappointing
in the degree of their portion of this spirit
1t finally and conclusively scraps" the league
Lof nations far the United States is concerned.
II also favors simple declaration OF peace by Con-
gressional resolution. 1t says: with the supergov-
erRRs league definitely rejected and with the world
$50 informed and with the OF peace proclaimed
tat home, we may proceed to negotiate the cove
anted relationship essential the recognition of
fall the rights everywhere OF our own nation and
play our full part in joining the peoples of the world
bn pursuits of peace Our obligations in
efectng European tranquility because of wars in
Movements not less impelling than our part in
nhe itself"
r Condensed this means peace by resolution; re-
ejecton of the league of nations ratification of the
pest of the Versailles treaty, and renewed pledge
Gattempt the organization of association of ma
tions to promote peacel an the existing league of
nations, worldgoverning with its superpowers this
Hepublic will have no part" But the wiser course
would seem to be the acceptance OF the confirmation
lot our rights and interests already provided and
3to engage under the existing treaty, assuming, of
bcourse that this be satisfactorily accomplished by
ysuch explicit reservations and notifications as will
tsecure absolute freedom from inadvisabe COM
fmlntnlents and safeguard all essential interests
The other three-fourths of the message will have
puite unanimous approval OF the most admir-
ahle, clearly put, wisely conceived state papers on
domestic problems presented by any President This
Us all the more notable because of the excessive num-
ihcr OF purely domestic enigmas to be solved. No
bother Congress in time of peace has had anything
measurable in their number Importance
OF these the President places economy first and
here puts serious insisence into what heretofore has
been used only a campaign issue by both parties
here is assurance that it will last become real
ity' Second comes revenue tax revision which by
inference is placed before tariff, though he gives
them concurrence in Congressional consideration
All OF these questions are prefaced with note
OF warning not to expect the millennium overnight
He also that There is little sentiment in the
trade OF the world. Trade and ought to be hon
orable but it knows no sympathy" In every fea-
ture OF the handling of business affairs this is
keynote, as well as in foreign affairs. He would
take the government out of business with the dis
t'nct injunction that this does and cannot mean
the public be damned" Business will be held
strictly accountable for honorable" methods and will
not b, permitted to get all the tariff will bear
Through the message runs this same even
balance of fairness ALL of accountability of free.
dom but not license and an even holding of the
scales that justice may be done to all and none be
the victim of injustice and greed