Senator Warren G. Harding, Republican Candidate For President, June 29, 1920 (4:19) [title]
 
If the file does not automatically play, try clicking here.
This file is available on CD0200. This CD contains over 28 hours of historical audio.
"Americanism"

My countrymen, the first flaming torch of Americanism was lighted in framing the Federal Constitution in 1787. The Pilgrims signed their simple and majestic covenenant a full century and a half before, and set aflame their beacon of liberty on the coast of Massachusetts. Other pioneers of New World Freedom were rearing their new standards of liberty from Jamestown to Plymouth for five generations before Lexington and Concord heralded the new era. It is all American in the destined result, yet all of us lacked the soul of nationality. In simple truth there was no thought of nationality in the revolution for American independence. The colonists were resisting a wrong, and freedom was their solace. Once it was achieved, Nationality was the only agency suited to its preservation. Americanism really began when robed in Nationality. The American Republic began the brave trail of representative popular government. Representative Democracy was proclaimed the safe agency of highest human freedom. America headed the forward procession of civil, human, and religious liberty which ultimately will effect the liberation of all mankind. The Federal Constitution is the very base of all Americanism, the ark of the covenant of American liberty, the very temple of equal rights. The Constitution does abide and ever will so long as the Republic survives. Let us hesitate before we surrender the Nationality which is the very soul of highest Americanism. This Republic has never failed humanity, nor endangered civilization. We have been tardy sometimes, like when we were proclaiming Democracy and neutrality and yet ignored our national rights, but the ultimate and helpful part we played in The Great War will be the pride of Americans so long as the world recited the story. We do not mean to hold aloof, we choose no isolation, we shun no duty. I like to rejoice in an American conscience, and in a big conception of our obligation to liberty, justice, and civilization. Aye, and more, I like to think of Columbia's helping hand to new Republic, which are seeking the blessings portrayed in our example. But I have a confidence in our America that requires no council of foreign powers to point the way of American duty. We wish to councel, corraborate and contribute, but we allegate to ourselves the keeping of the American conscience, and every concept of our moral obligation. It's fine to idealize, but it's very practical to make sure our own house is in perfect order before we attempt the miracle of Old-World stabilization. Call it the selfishness of Nationality if you will. I think it's an inspiration to patriotic devotion to safeguard America first, to stabilize America first, to prosper America first, to think of America first, to exhalt America first, to live for and revere America first. Let the Internationalists dream and the Bolsheviks destroy. God pity him for whom no [?]. In the spirit of the Republic we proclaim Americanism, and proclaim America.