Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-05-31
Coolidge Pleads


.. Continued from Page ons)
tation Of ornaments by international
covenants.
The president began his address, de-
: liversd ut the annual ceremonies in the
Memorial amphitheatrs, with an analy-
sis OF the founding and guiding princi-
pies Of the nation, foremost among
which he found to be the necessity for
surrender by individuals and by the
states Of . portion of their rights and
their sovereignty in order TO obtain the
benefits accruing TO the organized
whole.
Tn these days little need exists for
extolling the blessings of our federal
union" he continued. Its benefits are
known and recognized by all It's citi-
zsns who are worthy OF serious atten-
ton. No one thinks now OF attempting
10 destroy the union by armed forces.
No one seriously considers withdra wing
from II. But 1t In not enough that 1t
should be free from attack--it must be
approved and supported by a national
spirit. Our prime allegiance must be
to the whole country. A sentiment Of
sectfonalism Is not harmless because
II 10 unarmed. Resistance to the right
eous authority of federal law Is not
innocent because It Is not accompanied
by secession. We need a more definite
realization that all Of our country
must stand or fall together. and that
Il Is tho duty OF the government to
promote the welfare Of each part and
the duty OF the citizen to remember
that he must be FIRST OF all an Ameri-
can.
only one conclusion appears to me
possible. We shall not promote our
welfare by a narrow and short GIFTED
policy. We can gain nothing by any
destruction OF government or society.
That action which in the long run Ia
for the advantage OF the individual, as
tits for the support of our Union, 10
Lest summed up in n single word-re-
nunciatton. IL Is only by surrendering
a certain amount Of our liberty. only
by taking on new duties and assuming
new obligations, that We make that
progress which We characterized as
civilization. 1t Is only in like manner
that the citizens and the states can
maintain the federal union and become
partakers OF Its glory. That 10 the
answer to every herald OF discomfort,
and to every preacher Of destruction.
While this 10 understood. American in
stitutions and the American union are
secure.
This principle cannot be too def
American citizenship is q high estate.
lie who holds 1t Is the peer of kings.
IL has been secured only by untold toll
ana effort. IT will be maintained by no
ether method. 1t demands the best that
men and women have to give. But 1t
likewise awards of its partakers the
best that there In on earth No at
tempt to turn IL into q thing of ease
and inaction would be only TO debase IL.
L. nj tan IA
fee for II IL not only to cease to be
worthy OF II. but 10 to start q retreat
toward barbarism. No matter what
others may say, no matter what others
may do, this Is the stand that those
must maintain who are worthy to be
called Americans.
but the great struggle was car
ried on by those for whom this day
II set apart to commemorate. not
only for the preservation OF the
union. The authority of the federal
government had been resisted by
armed force. They were also striv-
ing to restore peace. 1t must be re-
inembered that our republic was or
ganixed to avoid and discourage
war, and to promote and establish
peace. II Is the leading character
istio OF our national holidays that
they are days OF peace. The ways
of our people are the ways OF peace.
They naturally seek ways to make
peace moro secure.
While there Is Justification for
hoping and believing that we are
moving toward perfection 1t would
be idle and absurd to assume that
we have already reached II. We can
not disregard history. There have
been and will be tendencies Of one
nation to encroach on another. be-
liete in the maintenance OF an army
ana navy not for aggression. but for
defense. Security and order are our
most valuable possessions. They are
cheap at any price. But I am OPP
posed to every kind OF military ag-
competitive armament The ideal
would be for nations to become
parties to mutual covenants limiting
their military establishment, and
making It obvious that they are not
maintained to menace each other.
THIS ideal should be made practical
as. fast a. possible.
sOur nation has associated itself
with other great powers for the pur-
pope OF promoting peace in the re-
giens OF the Pacific ocean. II has
STEADILY refused to accept the cove
nant Of the League OF Nations, but
long before that was thought of, be-
foto the opening OF the present CEN
tuIy We were foremost In promoting
the calling Of q conference at The
H4Gue to provide for tribunal Of
arbitration for the settlement Of In.
ternational disputes. We have made
many treaties on that basis with 9TH |
er nations,
sMore than q year ago President
Harding proposed that the senate
SHOULD authorize our adherence to
the protocol OF the permanent court
OF International justice. with certain
conditions. His suggestion has al
re4dy had my approval. On that |
stand. l should not oppose other
reservations. but any material |
changes which would not probably |
receive the consent Of many other |
nations. would be impracticable.
I'VE cannot take a step in advance !!
OF this kind without assuming GER |
tain obligations. Here again IL we |
receive anything we must surrender |
soHnething.
we may as well face the question !.