86 Presidential Addresses 



energies of all of us to solve aright, and which we 

 can only solve at all if we approach them in a spirit 

 not merely of common sense, but of generous desire 

 to act each for all and all for each. While there 

 are occasions when through legislative or adminis- 

 tiative action the governmental representatives of the 

 people can do especial service to one set of our 

 citizens, yet I think you will agree with me that in 

 the long run the best way in which to serve any 

 one set of our citizens is to try to serve all alike 

 well, to try to act in a spirit of fairness and justice 

 to all to give to each man his rights to safe 

 guard each man in his rights; and so far as in me 

 lies, while I hold my present position I will be true 

 to that conception of my duty. 



I want to speak to you to-night, not on our inter 

 nal problems as a nation, but on some of the external 

 problems which we have had to face during the 

 last four years. The internal problems are the most 

 important. Keeping our own household straight is 

 our first duty; but we have other duties. Just ex 

 actly as each man who is worth his salt must first 

 of all be a good husband, a good father, a good 

 bread winner, a good man of business, and yet 

 must in addition to that be a good citizen for the 

 State at large so a nation must first take care to 

 do well its duties within its own borders, but must 

 not make of that fact an excuse for failing to do 

 those of its duties the performance of which lies 

 without its own borders. 



The events of the last few years have forced the 



