While I disagree with Mr. Horshington on some issues, perhaps his idea could be used effectively; now, of course, I believe we should forgive some of the debt, but to forgive more of it, perhaps we can use it as a bargaining chip for African autonomy, perhaps even independence, something I've always hoped would come about!
((Finally, my new internet!))
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Farewell Address of President Joseph Patrick Jarvis
Delivered via Radio on March 1, 1924
Today marks the end of my eight year administration; during that time, I have felt elation, fear, sorrow, joy, pride, and disappointment. I, to the best of my ability, and to the credit of many men greater than myself, sought to serve this nation as my forefathers, and the forefathers of this nation, did. To that end, I shunned war, loved peace, protected liberties granted by Nature to all men, and at every stage, sought to limit the power of the Federal Government. With only a few days left before I leave the executive mansion to my successor, I will make my final remarks, both in support of the American people who chose me to be president, and to warn the incoming president of what I feel is a great and impending danger for this nation, and the world.
To the people, I cannot express my gratitude that you chose me to be president; nor can I truly the greatest regret that I was unable to fulfil all the grand ideals I believed, and still believe, would make America stronger, and her people, the children of Liberty, freer. However, despite my failings, my shortcomings, I can honestly say that I kept this nation out of war, and refuted the Imperialism that had grown so pervasive during the ‘Progressive’ era, and consistently championed the noble ideas of self determination, peaceful coexistence, and the golden rule. My proudest moments, however, have come not from freeing the market, nor from rejecting war, but in doing all I could in supporting the rights of all men, Negro and Caucasian, just as my father championed the rights of Indians many decades ago. While my League of American States was never able to be realized, my great desire to end the Federal Reserve failed, and that I could not make permanent changes to the economic structure of this nation, I truly hope that my successor will make good on those ideals…
Which I cannot stress the urgency of to him… the second reason for my speech, my final address, as I have mentioned, was to give Mr. Sherman both some advice and a warning. While I certainly cannot say I agree with you on every issue, we can find common ground amongst all Republicans, reformist and conservative, in the ideals of free markets and free trade, and I am certain you will champion those ideals as firmly, and hopefully more successfully, than I have in these eight years. On civil rights, I know in my heart that all men will be free and equal one day, and that I helped play a small role in it; Mr. Sherman, do not abandon the cause of liberty; if you oppose the Federal Government involving itself in the states, encourage your Southern allies to make the changes themselves, to prevent the usurpation of liberty! You have the chance now, to prevent greater federal control, and could do more for civil rights than I could possibly hope to…
But my final warning is the most grave; we have been growing consistently for nearly three decades now, and this cannot last forever… within the decade, there will be an economic contraction; this is not a failure of the market; it is the result of federal intervention! Mr. Sherman, you know as well as I that the Government distorts the economy, and that it ultimately harms economic stability; the Federal Reserve, economic regulations, and other federal follies will bring misery, poverty, and suffering to the poor and will leave America prostrate and destitute. You can, however, prevent this; both by reforming the system, and reducing the size and power of the Government, and by dismantling the Federal Reserve, but also by preparing for the worst; create a ‘rainy-day’ fund of sorts, to have a way to keep money in the system without creating inflation or raising taxes. Use it to reduce taxes, to promote infrastructure, and to ensure that we can allow the market to readjust without bringing millions of men and woman to poverty!
It is now my great sorrow, and great honour, to bid farewell to the American people; by the end of this week, I will have returned to San Diego, to my family, to my business, and to private life. I only hope that history will remember my actions, if it remembers them, kindly, and show the world that the ideals of liberty, of peace, and of the rule of law had not yet vanished in the waves of progressivism and reactionism…
Thank you.
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Jarvis, despite his hopes to the contrary, would remain active in politics well into the 1930's, campaigning at home for civil rights and limited government, and abroad for capitalism, peace, and anti-colonialism. After the 1928 election, however, his overall role in national politics diminished (rather, he would become an international speaker, as well as a leading member of the American Civil Liberties Union, and a prominent supporter of the NAACP) In late-May, 1929, he would cede control of Jarvis Enterprises, the largest company on the West Coast, to his son Nicholas (who had managed the company in his fathers' stead during the Jarvis administration. His younger son, however, would continue the family legacy in politics, albeit reluctantly...
((At the end of this election, JP Jarvis will retire from national politics(though I may make some memoirs) and his son will take the reins of the other California political dynasty))
