The Republican., 1925-03-05

in the consciousness of duty done.
Throughout all these experiences
we have enlarged our freedom, we
have strengthened our Independence.
We have been and propose to be, more
and more American. We believe that
we can best serve our own country
and more successfully discharge our
obligations to humanity by continu-
ing to be openly and candidly, intense
ly and scrupulously, American. If
we have any heritage, it has been
that. If we have any destiny, we
have found it in that direction.
But if we wish to continue to be
distinctively American, we must con-
tinue to make that term comprehen-
sive enough to embrace the legitimate
desires of a civilized and enlightened
people determined in all their rela-
tions to pursue conscientious and
religious life. We can not permit our
selves to be narrowed and dWarfed
by slogans and phrases. 1t is not the
adjective, but the substantive, which
is Of real Importance. 1t is not the
name of the action, but the result of
the action, which is the chief concern.
1t will be we'll not to be too much
disturbed by the thought Of either
isolation or ENHANCEMENT of pacifsts
and militarists. The physical confg-
uration Of the earth has separated us
from all of the Old World, but the
common brotherhood Of man, the
highest law of all our being, has un-
tied us by inseparable bonds with all
humanity. Our country represents
nothing but peaceful intentions to-
ward all the earth, but it ought not to
fail to maintain such military force
as cOmports with the dignity and Sc
curity Of a great people. 1t ought to
be balanced force, intensely modern,
capable of defense by sea and land.
beneath the surface and in the air.
But it should be so conducted that all
the world may see in it, not a men
ace, but an instrument of security
and peace.
This nation believes thoroughly in
an honorable peace under which the
rights Of its citizens are to be every
where protected. 1t has never found
that the necessary enjoyment of such
a peace could be maintained only by a
great and threatening array of arms.
In common with other nations, it is
now more determined than ever to
promote peace through friendliness
and good will, through mutual under
standings and mutual forebearance.
We have never practiced the policy
OF competitive armaments. We have
( lapant1Jr
enants with the other great nations
to limitation of our sea power AS
one result of this our navy ranks lar
! ger, in comparison, than it ever did
before. Removing the burden of ex-
pense and jealousy, which must al
ways accrue from a keen rivalry. is
one of the NOSE effective methods of
diminishing that unreasonable hys-
terra and misunderstanding which are
the most potent means of fomenting
war This policy represents a new
departure in the world. 1t is a
thought, an ideal, which has led to
an entirely new line Of action. 1t will
not be easy to maintain. Some never
moved from their old position, some
are constantly slipping back to the
old ways of thought and the old ac-
ton of Selling a musket and relying
on force. America has taken the lead
in this new direction, and that lead
America must continue to hold. If we
expect others to rely on our fairness
and justice, we must show that we
rely on theis fairness and justice.
If we are to judge by past expert
tbarn iS 1No11ah 70 L. q
IN international relations from fire.
quent conferences and consultations.
We have before US the beneficial re-
suits Of the Washington conference
and the various consultations recent
ly held upon European affairs. some
OF which were in response to our sug-
gestions and in some of which we
were active participants. Even the
failures can not but be accounted use
tul and an immeasurable advance
over threatened or actual warfare. |
am strongly in favor of continual
ton OF this policy, whenever condi-
tons are such that there is even a
promise that practical and favorable
results might be secured.
| In conformity with the principle
that display OF reason rather than a
threat of force should be the deter
mining factor in the intercourse
among nations, we have long advo-
Gated the peaceful settlement of dis
putes by methods of arbitration and
have negotiated many treaties to Sc
cure that result. The same consider
ations should lead to our adherence
to the Permanent Court of Interna-
! tional Justice. Where great princi-
pies are involved, where great move
ments are under way which promise
much for the welfare of humanity by
reason of the very fact that many
other nations have given such move
ments their actual support, we ought
not to withhold our own sanction be-
cause of any small and inessential
difference, but only upon the ground
of the most important and compelling
/ fundamental reasons. We can not
barter away our independence or our
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