"We stand at the opening of the huraired-and-ftieth year since sit "national "consciousness Rest Sserted itself by "unmistakable ae: tion" with an array of force. "The sentiment "of detached and dependent colonies disappeared in the few aentinent of & united and tiependeng "Nation. Men began discard the narrow confines Jocal chatter for the broader oppor unites of "a national constitution, Unier tke eternal urge of freedom wwe became an independent. Nation, Citi tes than 60 years ater that freedom and independence were Yeamerted Inthe. face. of all the ori avd guarded, supported, and secant ty the Hanon deci. The Atlantic seaboard advanced te fron harrow {rings of States: along
ters across the hills and. plang. of intervening' continent" until Bassed dawn the golden slope to the Recife. "We made freedom a. bie, Yhright. We extended our domain over distant islands in order to safe-ion believer thoroughly under which of its citizens are to be everywhere protected. Tt has never found that the necessary enjoyment of such a peace could be 1 only by a grea: and threatening Jareay of arms. In common with other nations, it is now more determined than ever to promote peace through friendliness and goodwill, through mutual understandings and mutual forbearance. We have never practiced the policy of competitive armaments. We have recently committed ourselves by covenants with the other great mations to a limitytion of our sea power. As one resum: lof this, our Navy ranks larger, Jcomparison, than it ever did before. Removing the burden of expense and jealousy, which must always accrue from a keen rivalry, is one of the most effective methods of diminishing that unreasonable hysteria ant misunderstanding which are the most potent means of fomenting war. This policy represents new departure in the world. It is a thought, an ideal, which hax led to fan entirely new line of action. will not be easy to maintain never moved fron their old position, some are constantly slipping back to the old ways of thought and the old action of ecizing-a musket and relying on force. America has taken the lead in this new direction, and that lead America mast continue to hold. If we expect others to rely Jon our fairness and justice we must shove that we rely on their fairness and justice.
"It we are to judge by past experience, there is much to be hoped for in international relations from frequent conferences and consultations. We have before us the benefits derived from various consultations recently held upon European affairs, some of which were in
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.