The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1921-03-04

My COuntfymcu, NneH Que sui
veys the world about him after the
great storm noting the marks of de-
struction and yet rejoicing in the
Iuggedness of the things which with
stood it. If he is an American he
breaths the clarified atmosphere with
q strange mingling of regret and new
hope. We have seen world passion
spend its fury, but we contemplate
our republic mistaken and hold our
civilization secure. Liberty-liberty
within the law-and civilization are
iuseparable and although both were
threatened we find them now secure
and there comes to Americans the pro-
found assurance that our representa-
tive government is the highest cX-
preston and surcst guaranty of both.
standing in this presence. mindful
OF the solemnity Of this occasion, feel
ing the emotions which no one may
know until he senses the great
weight of responsibility for himself.
l must utter my belief in the Divine
inspiration of the founding fathers.
Surely there must have been Gods
intent in the making Of this new
world republic. Ours is an organic
law which had but ono ambiguity,
and we saw that eTaced in a baptism
of sarifce and blood. with union
maintained. the nation supreme and
its concord inspiring. We have seen
the world rivct its hopeful gaze on
the great truths on which the found
ers wrought. We have seen civil. hui
man and religious liberty verified and
gloritied. In the beginning. the old
world scofted at our experiment. our
foundations Of political and social be
lief stand mistaken. a precious inner
itance to ourselves. an inspiring exam
pie of freedom and civilization to all
mankind. Let us express renewed
and strengthened devotion. in grateful
reverence for the immortal beginning.
and utter our confidence in the SUI
prone fuIfIlment.
Progress Proves Wisdom
The recorded progress of our re
public. materially and spiritually. in
itself proves the wisdom of the inner
tied policy Of Acknowledgement in old
orld affairs. Confident Of our abil
itv TO work our own destiny aud jr1l-
ously guarding our right TO do So We
seek no part in directing the dCstini"'
of the old world We do not mean 10
he entangled We will accept no rn-
sponsibility 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
recognize the new order IT, tho world
with closer contacts that progress has
wrought We sense the call of tho
human heart for fellowship. fraternity
! and cooperation. We crave friend
ship and harbor no hate. But Amer
| lea. our America. the America buildcd
upon the foundation laid by the in
spired fathers can be q party to nc
permanent military alliance. II can
enter into no political commitments
nor assume any economic obligations
or subject our decisions TO any Other
than our own authority.
Il am sure our own people VIII not
misunderstood nor will the world mis-
construed. We have no thought to inn
pedc the paths 10 closer relationship
/ We wish TO promote understanding
VIC want TO do our part in making Of
Gensive warfare SO hateful that gov.
crnments and peoples who resort tC
il must prove the righteousness ni
! their cause or stand as outlaws be-
I fore the bar of civilization.
Association for Counsel
we are ready TO associate our
selves with the nations of the world
great and small. for conference. foI
counsel. TO seek the expressed views
o. world opinion, to recommend a way
80 approximate disarmament and re
! lieve the crushing burdens Of military
and naval establishments. We elect
I to participate in suggesting plans fol-
mediation. cancellation and arbitra
ton. and would gladly join in that eX.
pressed conscience of progress which
seeks To clarity and write the laws
OF international relationship and cs
tablish a world court for the dispO
sition of such iustifablc questions as
nations are agreed 10 submit thereto
in expressing aspirations. i'm seeking
practical plans. i'm translating human
ity's new concept Of righteousness.
Justice and its hatred of war into
recommended action We arc ready
most heartily TO unite. hut every com
mitment must be- made in the exercise
of our national sovereignty.
since freedom impcllcd and inde
pendence inspired and nationality OK
allied, world supcrgOvcrnmcnt Is
contrary TO everything We cherish aud
can have no sanction by our republic.
This is not selishnoss II is snnciiiY.
II is not aloofneSs. il Is security. II
Is not suspicion OF others. il is pa
triotic adherence to the things which
made us what We arc.
Today. better than ever before. we
know the aspirations of humankind
and share the mode. SIC have come 10
a new realization OF our place in tho
world and a new appraisal OF our ma
ton by tho world The unselRshncBs
OF these United States Is thing
proven, our devotion TO peace FOR our.
selves and for the world is we'll cs-
tablished; our concern for preserved
civilization has had its irupassionod
and heroic expression. There was no
American failure TO resist the at.
tempted revcrsioD of civilization