The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-06-07
HARDING MAKES PLEA
FOR A PARTY REUNION

CHICAGO. June With a plea
for party reunion, for remuneration
rather than recrimination, United
States Senator Warren G. Harding.
OF Ohio. in his address as temporary
chairman opened the Republican ma
tional convention here today AS
serting that the country was "weari-
ed afresh by n disappointing and dis
tressinG Democratic administration, -
and was calling for Republican relief
the speaker. before undertaking to
discuss political issues. appealed TO
the delegates to forget the differ
ences which divided the party in
1912.
Referring to the administrations q
foreign policy in the European war
Senator Harding declared that it
had spoken with more rhetoric than
resolution. Mexican negotiations he
described as the greatest fiasco in
American foreign relations. He paid
tribute to AmericAnism OF foreign
birth with brief reference to the few
zealots who would impugn the ma
.Eion's neutrality and urged frater-
nifty Of American republics under tho
Monroe doctrine. Advocating ade-
Guate national defense he charged the
Democratic party with having inter
rupted Republican naval construction
and he criticised the army re-orEan-
Ization bill. He also attacked tho
administration shipping bill. the Of
fort made to extend independence to
the Philippines. and made ii plea for
return to the protective tariff.
We did not do very we'll for
making for harmony the last time
wo met" the chairman said in his
appeal for harmony The country
has regretted. lot US forgct-and
make amends TO our country We did
not divide over fundamental prIn-
cIples. we did not disagree over
national policy. We split over meth
DDS Of party procedure and preferred
personalities Let us forget the dif-
fercnces. and md new inspiration and
new compensation in an united en-
deavor to restore the country.
Republican principles are in n
vast majority in this country-when
the banners Of harmony are unfurlcd
We have witnessed the comeback "
our party in various states. We
have seen the rP-anlistment of those
who believe in Republican doctrines.
and victory has followed and rcjolc-
ing has attended. No apology has
been asked. no foreswearing rcquir-
ed. This is not the time for recrimi-
nation. 1t is the day OF reconsecra-
tlon.
"RededicatinE here and now tho
Republican party to the progress
and glory OF the republic. let us bury
party preRXes with the administra-
lion which our differences put In
power. do not believe there is n
really reactionary Republican bear
ing credentials to this convention.
II there Is, he will depart. after our
deliberations. solely and proudly IL
Republican. with heart aglow with
the party spirit OF 1916. And the
welcome delegate who emphasizes
his progreSsivelsm. Is expected to do
his part in making our party n reflex
Of the best thought and best intent
OF sincere committal to the uplift
and progress OF the American people.
thereby strengthening party purpose
instead Of magnlfylng individual be-
lief. and he. too. will nnd new re-
joicinE in being Republican. No
party can endure which is not pro-
gressive."
The world at war. preparedness
and Americas foreign relations serv-
ed as the basis for the senator's first
discussion OF tho issues. The enor-
nifty OF the war in Europe, the tidal
wave of distress and disaster, new
wonders and new hindrances in COM
merce and utterly changed economic
conditions. and these have attended
embarrassment in American foreign
relations" he said. ''as dlflcult rs
those which the individual citizen ex.
periences whose every neighbor is
Involved in deadly quarrel"
Everything Is abnoraml except
the depleted condition OF the federal
treasury, which is characteristic Of
Democratic control" he said. land
the facility Of the administration for
writing varied notes without effective
notice" Amid these conditions.
America. he asserted. had been sim