Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-03-05
and trial not by battle but by rea-

2nV OlnSE COuIlliiCo' A-oPN>-S
we determined not to become I'M
nlicated in the political controversies
of the Old World. With great
deal of hesitation, we have respond
ed to appeals for help to MAINTAIN
order, protect life and property, ana
establish responsible government IN
some OF the small countries OF the
Western Hemisphere. Our private
citizens have advanced large sums
of money to assist in the necessary
financing and relief OF the ga
World. We have not failed. nor
shall we fail to respond. whenever
necessary to mitigate human sui1er-
ing and assist in the rehabilitation
of distressed nations. These, too,
are requirements which must be met
by reason of our vast powers ana
the place we hold in the world.
Conditions Must Be Provided
Some of the best thought of man.
kind has long been seeking for for
mula for permanent peace. Undoubt-
edly the Qualification of the principles
of international law would be helpful,
and the efforts of scholars to prepare
such a work for adoption by the vari-
Gus nations should have our sympathy
and support. Much may be hoped for
from the earnest studies of those who
advocate the outlawing of aggressive
war. But all these plans and prepare
lions, these treaties, and covenants
will not of themselves be adequate.
one Of the greatest dangers to peace
lies in the economic pressure to which
people find themselves subjected. one
of the most practical things to be
done in the world is to seek arrange
ments under which such pressure
may be removed, so that opportunity
may be renewed and hope may be re-
yived There must be some assur-
ance that effort and endeavor will be
followed by success and prosperity.
in the making and financing of such
adjustments there is not only an OPP
portunity. but a real duty, for Amer
lea to respond with her counsel and
her resources. Conditions must be
provided under which people can
make living and work out of their
difficulties. But there is another
element, more important than all,
without which there can not be the
slightest hope of q permanent peace.
That element lies in the heart of hui
manity. Unless the desire for peace
be cherished there, unless this funda-
mental and only natural source of
brotherly love he cultivated to Its
will be in vain. Peace will come
when there is realization that only
under reign of law, based on right
eouSnesS and supported by the re-
ligious conviction of the brotherhood
of man. can there be any hope of
complete and satisfying life. Parch-
ment will fail, the sword will fail, it
is only the spiritual nature Of man
that can be triumphant.
1T seems altogether probable that
we can contribute most to these i'm
portant objects by maintaining our po-
sition of political detachment and
independence. We are not identified
with any Old World interests. This
position should be made more and
more clear in our relations with all
foreign countries. We are at peace
with all of them. Our program is
never to Cypress. but always to as
sist. But while we do justice to
others, we must require that justice
be done to us. With us a treaty of
peace means peace, and treaty of
amity means amity. We have made
great contributions to the settlement
of contentious differences in both Eu-
rope and Asia. But there is very
definite point beyond which we can
not go. We can only help those who
help themselves. Mindful of these
limitations, the one great duty that
stands out requires us to use our
enormous powers to trim the balance
of the world"
Referring TO domestic affairs, the
recent election, he said, had demon
strated that the policy that stands
out with the greatest clearness is
that of economy in public expenditure
with reduction and reform of taxa
ton"
Why Economy
II favor tho policy Of economy,
not because / wish to save money.
but because l wish to save people"
he continued "The men and women
of this country who toll are the ones
who bear the cost of government.
Every dollar that we carelessly waste
means that their life will be SO much
the more meager. Every dollar that
we prudently save means that their
life will be so much more abundant"
The practice of such economy, he
declared, has brought the time when
there can be further tax reduction
and when. unless we wish to ham,
per the people in their right to earn
living. we must have tax reform"
He declared his opposition to extreme
ly high tax rates because they pro-
duce little or no revenue, because they
are bad for the country. and finally,
because they are wrong"
The verdict Of the country has
been given on this question:" he add
ed. That verdict stands. We shall
do well to heed it,
only once in his address did Mr..
Coolidge refer to the election which
today brought him to the Presidency
for term in his own right, and that
was after he had declared strongly
In favor of strict party responsibility.
adding that common honesty and
good faith with the people who sup
port party at the polls require that
party, when it enters office, to ass.r.e
the control of that portion of the
government to which it has been
elected"
This administration has come in
to power with a very clear and def
mite mandate from the people," he
said. THE people declared that they
wanted their rights to have not a po-
lltlcal but n judicial determination,
and their independence and freedom
continued and supported by having
the ownership and control of their
property. not in the government, but
in their hands"
Pursuing further his discussion of
domestic affairs. he declared that
those who want their rights respect
cd under the Constitution and the
law ought to set the example them
selves of observing the Constitution
and the law" and that Eve cannot per-
nit any inquisition either within or
without the law or apply any religious
test to the holding of Office"
"rhe essence of republic is repre-
sentative government. Our Congress
represents the people and the states