Evening journal., 1922-02-06
Harding's Adieu to
Conference


rot decide without impugning ma
tional rights. There was no vic
tors to command, no vanquished
to Weld. All had voluntarily to
agree in translating the conscience
of our civilization and give con-
crete expression TO world opinion.
And you have agreed in spite
OF all difficulties, and the agree
ments are proclaimed to the
world. No new standards OF ma
tional honor have been sought but
the indictments of national dis
honor have been drawn and the
world Is ready to proclaim the
odiousness Of perfdy or infamy.
IT. Is not pretended that the
pursuits of peace and the hmita-
tions OF armaments are new con-
ceits, or that the conference Is
new conception either in settle
.nent Of war or in writing the con-
science of international relation
shin. Indeed. IT, is not new TO
have met in the realization OF
wars supreme penalties. Il n e
Hague conventions are the eX-
amples OF one, the conference OF
Vienna. OF Berlin, OF Versailles are
outstanding Instances of the other.
The Hague conventions were de-
fcated by the antangonism OF one
strong power whose indisposition
to cooperate and sustain lead II
TO one OF the supreme tragedies
which have come to national em-
inence. Vienna and Berlin sought
peace founded on the injustices OF
war and sowed the seeds OF future
conflict. and hatred where coniid-
ence was stihed.
II Is fair to say that human
progress. the grown intimately or
international relationship. develop
ed communication and transport
alton attended by directing
world opinion have set the stage
more favorably here.
You have met in the calm de-
liberation and that determined
resolut ton which have made just
peace. the righteous relationship
it's own best guaranty.
i
conference. to sit in a day far
enough removed from wars bit
terness. yet near enough TO wars
horrors to gain the benefit OF both
the hatred OF war and the yearn-
ing for peace. Too often, here
tofore. the decades following such
gatherings have been marked by
the difficult undoing OF their de-
cisions. But your achievement Is
supreme because no seed OF con-
lict has been sown; no reaction
in regret or resentment ever can
justify resort to arms.
IL little matters what we APP
praise as the outstanding accom-
plishment. Anyone OF them alone
would have justified the confer
ence. But the whole achieve
ment has 80 cleared the atmos-
pherc that It will seem like breath
ing the refreshing air OF new
morn OF promise.
You have written the first de-
liberate and effective expression
OF the great powers, in the con
sciousness OF peace. OF wars utter
futility. and challenged the sanity
OF competitive preparation for
each others destruction. You
have halted folly and lifted bur-
dens and revealed to the world
that the one sure way to recover
from the sorrow and ruin and
staggering obligations OF a world
war is to end the strife in prepara-
ton for more OF It and turn hui
man energies to the constructive
ness of peace.
Not all the world Is yet tran
quilted. But here is he example
to imbue with new hope all who
dwell In apprehension At this
table came understanding, and
understanding brands armed con-
nict as abomlnable in the eyes OF
enlightened civilization.
1 once believed in armed pre-
paredness. But / have come to
believe that there is better pre-
paredness In the public mind and
world opinion made ready TO
grant justice precisely as It ex-
acts H. And justice Is better
served in conferences than in
CONFLICTS at arms. When you met
twelve weeks ago there was nc
commitment. But human service
was calling, world conscience was
impeling. and world opinion di-
recting.
No intrigue. no offensive no de-
ta.ta aa.fa -
have wrought you agreements
but reasoning with each other tC
common understanding has mad,
new relationships among govern.
ment and peoples. New securitie.
OF peace and new opportunities
for achievements and attending
happiness.
Here have been established th'
contacts OF reason, here has com'
the inevitable understanding o
faceto-face exchanges when pas
sion does not infiame. The yer,
atmosphere shamed national self
ishness into retreat. Viewpoint
were exchanged, differences com
posed, and you came TO under
stand how common after all, ar
human aspirations; how alike
indeed, and how easily reconcil
able, are our national aspirations
how sane and simple and satisfy
ing TO seek the relationship o
peace and security.
When you first met / told yol
OF our Americas thought to seel
less OF armament and none o
war; that we sought nothing
which Is another's and We wer
unafraid, but that we wished q
join you in doing that finer an,
nobler thing which no nation cai
do alone. We rejoice in the ac