Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 137, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 June 1916 — HARDING SPEECH ELECTRIFIED CROWD [ARTICLE]

HARDING SPEECH ELECTRIFIED CROWD

Ohio Senator Sounded Keynote at G. O. P. Convention artd Urged All to Forget 1912 Feud. (Special to The Republican.)

Chicago, June 7. —At the close of today there is not a thing to indicate upon whom the Republican presidential nomination will fall. The day has been a bus\ one for delegates and visitors who began to gather at the Coliseum at 3:30 and who remained until the gavel fell for adjournment at almost 2 /clock. The convention was presided over by Charles D. Hilles, the republican national chairman, who in a clear voice that penetrated every corner of the great convention hall, announced Senator Warren G. Harding as the chairman and appointed a committee to escort him to the forum. Senator Harding at once launched upon his carefully prepared speech and it proved a magnificent address in every particular. His speech was something that every American could subscribe to. He did not placate those of foreign birth who hold an affection for their native countries and he did not sacrifice Americanism in any particualr but he maintained a sane neutrality that commends him as a splendid possibility should the convention find it advisable to place a dark horse at the head of the ticket. He said that he stood for a navy sufficient to guard American rights and for a sufficient army to give force to our policies. He said in reference to an army: “We have territory to defend, we have independence to preserve, we have lives to safeguard, we have property to protect, we have rights to assert, we have missions of humanity to perform. We proclaim justice and we love peace and we mean to have them —and we are not too proud to fight for them.” He reaffirmed the- policy of protection for American industries and said he liked the “abiding consistency of our unchanged position on this policy.” He said that the present prosperity of this country was produced by the distressed conditions in Europe and Were abnormal. He said that the gold we had been receiving was “sluiced from the river of blood that poured out by the horrifying sacrifice of millions of our fellowmen.” He condemned “watchful waiting” and the “miserably meddling” policy in Mexico and said that there was no geography to American rights and that Americans were entitled equally to protection in Mexico and on the high seas. He ufjged .that all forget the feud o: 1912. He said the country has regretted and let us forget and make amends to our country. The great crowd that listened to the speech cheered its many flights of oratory and brilliancy of argument in an approving manner and the speech will doubtless prove a worthy keynote for the party during its coming campaign. „ William Jennings Bryan occupied a reporter’s table only a short distance from the speaker. He gave the speech the closest attention and occasionally wrote something on his tablet. iMr. Bryan visited the Fairbanks headquarters Tuesday and was given a warm reception. Chauncey M. Depew, of New York, now 83 years of age, is attending the convention. .This makes the twelfth successive national convention of the republican party he has attended. There are talks of compromise heard on all sides and it is generally, understood that efforts are being made to get together on some basis satisfactory to Mr. Roosevelt#. So far none seem to know what he wants. An -effort-is- being made-to- stop the hot heads from causing friction but arguments heard on the floor of the Congress hotel, while many of them are good natured, frequently resemble the perlimiinary that ordinarily precedes a fight. The Fairbanks rooters organized an impromptu parade this afternoon in the Congress hotel and after marching several times about the lobby joined in singing “On the Banks of the Wabash.” Judge Hanley, George H. McLain and the writer joined the parade and took part in the demonstration. An interesting feature of today was the woman’s suffrage parade, ft w’as adversely affected by the rain, which kept up a steady downpour throughout the event. But the women, several thousands of them, paraded just the asme. Among them was Miss Ada Bush, of Kentland, and Mrs. Mary E. Rockhold, formerly of Rensselaer, but now of Chicago. They were dressed in marching costumes, most of them wearing sashes or girdles of yellow. Banners of many kinds were carried, all appealing or

demanding “votes for women.” One banner read: “Those who cannot vote: Criminals, Insane, Imbeciles and BS.” Many states were represented and the marchers were from every walk of life. After the march they were addressed by Helen Keller at the Auditorium. Among the Rensselaer people zo hear the speech of Senator Harding were Judge Hanley, E. L. Hollingsworth, G. H. McLain and the writer. Charles Schleman, of Valparaiso, formerly of Rensselaer, also heard it. The only picture adorning the Coliseum is that of Abraham Lincoln, a large painting which is at the south end of the building at the rear of the speaker’s stand. Tonight at several of the hotels a ball is being given to delegates and alternate delegates and their ladies ahd distinguished persons attending the convention. The ball is one of the entertainments planned by Mayor Thompson’s entertainment committees. 6ther events* including the greatest display of fireworks ever seen in Chicago, are planned but the incessant rain has caused postponements of everything planned for today. From everywhere comes encouraging word of Fairbanks’ campaign and it is not the least probable outcome that he will be chosen to lead the united Republican host to victory this fall. The nomination will not be made probably until Friday or Saturday. GEO. H. HEALEY.