The New York herald., 1921-04-20

the other side the history OF the last
decade certainly must have convinced all
the world that we stand willing TO fight
II necessary to protect these continents.
these sturdy young democracies from op-
preston.
American System yiadicated.
Surely we may contemplate with
some satisfaction the vndication that
our American system has won. Under
It. in a period so brief that history
records no parallel for the achievement
we have filled two continents with splen-
did and prosperous States. We have
maintained ourselves independent or the
older systems, aloof from their differ
ences and struggles We have erected
in these continents a great power which,
when civilization was at stake. we dared
to cast into the scale on the side OF
right, and we have seen its weight have
deciding part In the cause of human
justice.
This much our American system has
wrought by way of it's own justification.
Surely we may look upon our work and
decide for ourselves whether 1t has been
good. Believing that it has been good
we may well decide there can be no de-
parture from the standards that were
raised for US by the founding fathers.
IF we could consult our Washington
and our Bolivar to-day, and IL they could
advise us out of their wisdom and ex-
perience, they would tell US to go for
ward in firm confidence that ours is the
right course. ] believe they would adj
monish us TO cling to that which has
been tried TO hold fast to the institu-
tions of moderation. of independence. of
Gradna1 but sure progress. If they and
all the other patriots who gave their
blood. their genius and their lives to
establish free institutions upon this con-
tinent, should be summoned to our coun-
ell. they would survey what our system
has accomplished for our own countries
and for the world in the hour OF its
uttermost agony and they would tell us
that our generation had wrought into
the substance of splendid achievement
that which in their day was but hopes
vision of a better world.
I'VE have created no Utopia here in
the new world, and / have small hope
that We shall. We have accomplished
something toward betterment OF man.
Kind, toward peace, prosperity and
security: but we have yet far to travel.
bespeak mutual confidence and CO.
operation in dealing with these prob
lens, which are American problems. to
be dealt with by us as Americans We
have gone far toward effective CO.
operation and we ought to go farther
and realize greater accomplishment.
Il know ] may speak the spirit Of
the United States. No selfishncss impels.
no greed is urging. no envy incites, no
hatred Is actuating. There are here to-
day the same inspirations as those which
won the enthusiasm OF Simon Bolivar
when he came to breathe his admira-
in,, fnr yNaa at;
ington was his inspiration, and after
Gen. Bolivar had made his surpassing
contribution to country and humanity
an American naval surgeon attended
and consoled him in his last hour. Per-
haps there is the suggestion of an in
dissoluble tie in his wearing at his
death q medal which Washington had
given TO Lafayette, who in turn had
given il 10 Gen. Bolivar. The United
States salutes Venezuela and the South
American nations born of Gen. Boil
vars offering on the affairs OF freedom
and plights its devotion to the same
liberty, the same justice, the same
aspirations of national independence.
the same forward look. in touching
elbows while we advance to greater full
filment
I'VE do not forget that in the United
States to-day we have Latin American
devotion to the Stars and Stripes. Porto
Rico Is part of us. under permanent
policy aimed at her prosperity and prog
ress and we see in our Latin American
State the splendid agency to help inter-
pret the Americas 10 one another.
Our thoughts are mainly of the
Americas to-day. They cluster about
this statue of the great Bolivar. and
the good omen it brings as the gift OF
a nation which utters its gratitude to
him TO another nation which has ever
revered him and joins Venezuela in pro-
tecting and perpetuating the work of
free men. ] rejoice in this testimony
OF the gratitude of Venezuela. and ac-
claim the statue as a symbol of the
deep-lying sympathy and shared regard
which cements the nations of these two
continents. Let 1t stand out as an earn
est of more effective cooperation and
better understanding ana more intimate
and ever assuring friendship.
But we must also have n thought