And State Papers 197 



tions of New York must continually take into ac 

 count this fact ; and it must be taken into account in 

 appreciating the importance of the part played by the 

 New York Chamber of Commerce. 



This body stands for the triumphs of peace both 

 abroad and at home. We have passed that stage of 

 national development when depreciation of other 

 peoples is felt as a tribute to our own. We watch 

 the growth and prosperity of other nations, not with 

 hatred or jealousy, but with sincere and friendly 

 good-will. I think I can say safely that we have 

 shown by our attitude toward Cuba, by our attitude 

 toward China, that as regards weaker powers our 

 desire is that they may be able to stand alone, and 

 that if they will only show themselves willing to deal 

 honestly and fairly with the rest of mankind we on 

 our side will do all we can to help, not to hinder, 

 them. With the great powers of the world we de 

 sire no rivalry that is not honorable to both parties. 

 We wish them well. We believe that the trend of 

 the modern spirit is ever stronger toward peace, not 

 war; toward friendship, not hostility, as the normal 

 international attitude. We are glad indeed that we 

 are on good terms with all the other peoples of man 

 kind, and no effort on our part shall be spared to se 

 cure a continuance of these relations. And remem 

 ber, gentlemen, that we shall be a potent factor for 

 peace largely in proportion to the way in which 

 we make it evident that our attitude is due, not to 

 weakness, not to inability to defend ourselves, but 

 to a genuine repugnance to wrongdoing, a genuine 



