Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-03-05


ssnspiratlon OF the founding fathers
n surely there must have been Gods
ssFlntent In the making of this New
:esa9N ortd republic. Ours is an organic
ia (which had but one ambiguity.
al ana we saw that efraced in bap-
Il tism of saerifice and blood. with union
4 maintaining the nation supreme and
pSdts concord inspiring. We have seen
~ the world rivet it's hopeful gaze on
q the great truths on which the found
u ers wrought. We have seen civil hui
man and religious liberty verified and
s glcrif1ed. In the beginning the Old
81 World scofted at our experiment; to-
" dnyS our foundations of political and
3 social belief stand mistaken. n prec-
Nous Inheritance to ourselves and in
& Spring example of freedom and civ
asilization to all mankind. Let us eX-
press renewed and strengthened de-
,StSotion. in grateful reverence for the
& immortal beginning, and utter our
Rsconfidence In the supreme fulhllmen,.
sSSt55s Progress Proves Wisdom.
The recorded progress of our re-
sSitself proves the wisdom of the in
g herited policy OF acknowledgements in
Old World affairs. Confident of our
b ability to work out our own destiny
e and jealousy guarding our right to
do So we seek no part In directing
& the destinies of the Old World. We
ado not mean to be entangled. We
4 will accept no responsibility except
as our own conscience and judgment
lin each instance may determine.
sy. Our eyes never will be blind to n
developing menace. our ears never
,g$deaf to the call of civilization. we
recognize the new order in the world
with the closr contacts which prog
: ress has wrought. We sense the call
OF the human heart for fellowship,
fraternity and cooperation. We
crave friendship. and harbor no hate.
But America, our America, the
America builded on the foundation
laid by the inspired fathers, can be
party to no permanent military
alliance. 1t can enter into no po-
litical commitments. nor assume any
economic obligations which VIII sub
ject our decisions to any other than
our own authority.
i am sure our own people will not
misunderstood. nor will the world
misconstrue. We have no thought
to impede the paths to closer re-
Z lationship. We wish to promote
understanding. We want to do our
part In making offensive warfare so
hateful that governments and peo-
pies who resort to II must prove the
Righteousness OF their cause or stand
as outlaws before the bar of civil
ization.
Association for Counsel.
We are ready tc associate our
selves with the nations of tho world.
great and small. for conference, for
counsel, TO seek the expressed. views
of world opinion, to recommend
way to approxim disarmament and
relieve the crushing burdens of mil
/ itary and naval establishments. We
elect to participate In suggesting
plans for mediation. Cancellation and
arbitration and would gladly join in
that EXPRESSED conscience of progress.
( which seeks to clarity and write the
laws of international relationship.
and establish world court for the
disposition of such justiclable ques-
lions as nations are agreed TO sub
init thereto. In expressing aspira-
tions, in seeking practical plans, in
translating humanity's new concept
q OF righteousness and justice and It's
hatred OF war into recommended ac-
= ton we are ready most heartily to
but every commitment must
be made in the exercise OF our ma
tional sovereignty. Since freedom
s&zimpclled, and Independence inspired.
and nationality exalted. world
sup -governmert is, i.contrary to
everything We cherish and can have
no sanction by our republic. This
! is not selfishness, 1t is sanctity 1t
Is not aloofness, II is security. 1t Is
not suspicion of others. il is patriotic
4 adherence TO the things which made
us what we are.
Today better than ever before we
know the aspirations or Humankind
and share them. We nave come 10
d now realization OF our place in the
eworld and II new appraisal OF our
.,tGnation by the world The unset fish,
less of these United states is a thing
i proven; our devotion 10 peace for
ourselves and for the world is well
/. established, but concern for pre-
served civilization has had its inn
Z passloned and heroic expression
There was no American failure To
resist the attempted reversion of civ
ilization. there will be no failure to-
day or tomorrow.
Rests ON Popular Will.
The success or our govcrnmen.
rests wholly upon the correct inter-
/ probation OF the deliberate. intelll-
gent. dependable popular Will OF
America. In deliberate question
ing of a suggested change OF nation
al policy, where Internationally was
to supcrcede nationality. we turned
to n referendum Of the American
B people. There was ample discussion
Z and there is Il pubic mandate in
& manifest understanding.
= America is ready 10 encourage
& eager to initiate. anxious to parties.
D pate in any seemly program TO les
4 sen the probability of war and pro-
n mote that brotherhood of mankind
which must be Gods highest concep-
y tion OF human relationship. because
we cherish ideals OF Justice and peace