"The record of our Republic materially and spiritually in itself proves the wisdom of the inherited policy of non-involvement in Old World affairs. Confident of our ability to work out our own destiny and jealously guarding our right to do so, we ask no part in directing the destiny of the Old World. We do not mean to be entangled. We will accept no responsibility, except as our own conscience and judgement in each instance may determine. Our eyes will never be blinded to developing menace, our ears never deaf to the call of civilization.
"We recognize the New Order'in the world with the closer contacts "In expressing aspirations, in secking practical plans, in translate ing Humanity's new concept of righteousness and justice and its hatred of war into recommended action, we are ready most heartily to unite. Every commitment must be in the concordance of our national sovereignty, since freedom impelled, and independence inspired and nationality exalted the world. Super-Government is contrary to everything we cherish, and can have no sanction by our Republic. This is not selfishness. It is sanctity. It is not aloofness, it is security. It is not suspicion of others, is political inheritance to the things which made us what we are. To-day, better than ever before, we know the aspirations of humankind and share them. We have come to a new realization of our place in the world and have appraisal of our nation by the wor' The unselfishness of these United States is a thing proved. Our devotion to peace for ourselves and for the world is well-established. Our concern for preserved civilization has had its impassioned and heroic expression. There is no American failure to (? assist) resist the attempted (? preservation) reservations of civilization. There will be no failure to-day or to-morrow to resist the popular will. The success of our popular government rests wholly upon the correct interpretation of the deliberate intelligence of the popular will of America, in questions of a which progress has wrought, and suggested change of national we sense the feeling of the human Policy. heart for fellowship, fraternity and America's High Mission. ce-operation. We crave friendship.s/vorica is ready and harbour no hate. But Amer-|"\merica. is ready to encourage, ica, our America, the America er te initiate, anxious to parti-built on the foundation laid by the cipate in any seemly programme inspired Pilgrims, can be a party likely to lessen the probability of to no permanent military alliance. war and promote that brotherhood of mankind which must be God's Tt can enter into no political commitments, nor assume any economic highest conception of human rela-obligations or subject our decisions tionship because we cherish ideals to any other than our own author-of peace and justice. Because we ity. I am sure our own people appraise international comity and will not misunderstand nor the helpful relationship no less highly world will misconstrue. We have than any people of the world, we no thought to impede the paths to aspire to a high place in the moral closer relationship. We wish to leadership of civilization and we promote understanding. We want hold and maintain America, the to do our part in making offensive proven Republic, the unshaken tem-warfare so hateful that Governple of representative democracy, to ments and peoples who resort to it be not only an inspiration and must prove the righteousness of example but the highest agency of their cause or stand as outlaws be-strength and goodwill for promou fore the bar of civilization. ing accord on both continents. "Mankind needs a world-wide Ready for Negotiation. conception of understanding. It is "We are ready to associate our-needed among individuals, among -.selves with the nations of the world, peoples, among Governments,.nd great and small, for conference, for it will inaugurate an era of good counsel, to seek the expressed views feeling to mark the birth of a New of world opinion, to recommend Order. In such understanding, views, to approximate to disarmamen will strive confidently for the ment and relieve the crushing bur-promotion of their better relation-dens of military and naval estab-ship and nations will promote the lishments. We elect to participate comity so essential to peace. Trade in the suggested plans for media-ties bind closer. We must undertion, conciliation, and arbitration, stand that these ties of trade bind and would gladly join in that ex-nations in the closest intimacy, and pressed conscience of progress, none may receive except as he gives. which seeks to clarify and write We mean to promote en-the laws of international relation-larged activities and seek expanded ship, and establish a world court confidence. Perhaps we can make for the disposition of such justicino more helpful contributions by able questions as the nations are example than to prove the Repub-agreed to submit thereafter.
Jlican capacity to emerge from the wreckage of war. While the world's enduring travail did not leave us devastated lands nor isolated cities, left no gaping wounds, nor breast filled with hate, it did involve us in a delirium of expenditure, in currency and credits unbalanced, and disturbed relationships.
The Tasks Ahead, "While it caused our portion of hateful selfishness, it also reveal} ing the heart of America as sound, and fearless, and beating in confidence unfailing amid it all. revealed the riveted gaze of all civilization to the unselfishness and righteousness of representative democracy, where our freedom never has made offensive warfare, never has sought territorial aggrandization through force, never has turned to the arbitrament of arma, until reason had been exhausted. When the Governments have sanctioned the pursuit of peace and have practised if, I believe the last sorrow and final sacrifice of international warfare will have been written.
"Our supreme tasks are the resumption of our onward normal way, reconstruction, readjustment, restoration, all these.... If it will lighten the spirit and add to the resolution with which we take up the task, then let me repeat for our nation—We shall give no people just or sufficient cause to make war on us. We hold no national prejudice. We entertain no spirit of revenge. We do not hate. We do not covet. We dream of no conquest, nor boast of amted prowess. If, despite this attitude, war is again forced upon us, I earnestly hope a way may found which will unify our individual and collective strength and consecrate all America mater-laily, body and soul, to national defence. I vision the ideal Republic where every man and woman is called under the flag for assignment to duty for whatever service, military or civil, the individual is most fitted, where we may call for universal service every plant, agency, or facility, all in the sublime sacrifice for country and not one penny of any profit shall enure to the benefit of private individuals, corporations, or combinations, but all above the normal shall flow into the defence. chest of the nation.
Blessings of Unity, "There is something in heredity wrong, something out of accordance with the ideals of representative democracy, when one portion of our citizenship turns its activity ies to create gain amid defensive war, while another is fighting, sacrificing or dying for national preservation. Unity of spirit and purpose, a new confidence and consecration which would make our defence impregnable, our triumph assured—then we should have little or no disorganization of our economic, industrial and commercial system at home, no staggering war-debt, no swollen fortunes to flout the sacrifice of our
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.