The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1916-06-08
HARDING MAKES
OPENING SPEECH
Republican Convention Gets
Down to Business.
URGES PARTY HARMONY
Declares Country Is "Wearied Afresh
by a Disappointing and Distressing
Democratic Administration and Is
Calling for Republican Relief"


Calling for Republican Relief"
Coliseum, Chicago, June S-The Re
publican national convention is under
way In calling the convention to or
der Chairman Hilles said:
'Paraphrasing remark made by
the late President Mckinley, this is a
whatever may have been true
of past years-when politics is patriot
ism and patriotism is politics.
Therefore, the audience will please
rise and sing two verses of America ="
A male quartet led the singing. The
voices of the delegates swelled
through the big hall. in a mighty
chorus, almost drowning the band
There was a moment of confusion
and the delegates took their seats;
then Rev John Timothy Stone of Chi.
cago offered prayer
The call for the convention was then
read and Chairman Hilles announced
the selection of Senator Warren G.
Harding of Ohio as temporary chair
man. Murray Crane of Massachu-
setts. Senator Borah of Idaho and w.
b. Mckinley of Illinois were selected
to escort Mr.. Harding to the platform
and prolonged applause and cheers
greeted the temporary chairman as he
mounted the platform.
Senator Harding's Address.
With a plea for party reunion. for
reconsecration rather than recrimina-
ton, Mr.. Harding appealed to the con-
yention.
Asserting that the country was
and distressing Democratic admins
tration," and was calling for Repub.
lican relief, the speaker, before un-
dertalsing to discuss political issues,
appealed to the delegates to forget
the differences which divided the par.
ty In 1912.
Referring to the administration s
foreign policy in the European war,
Senator Harding declared that IL had
spoken with more rhetoric than reso-
luton.
Mexican negotiations he described
as the greatest fiasco in American for
eign relations
He paid tribute to Americanism oil
foreign birth with brief reference to
the few zealots who would impugn the
nations neutrality. and urged a fra
ternity of American republics under
the Monroe doctrine.
Advocating adequate national de
fense he charged the Democratic party
with having interrupted Republican
naval construction and he criticised
the army reorganization bill.
He also attacked the administration
shipping bill. the effort made to ex
tend Independence to the Philippines
and made plea for a return to the
protective tariff.
Not Much Harmony In 1912.
I'VE did not do very we'll in making
for harmony the last time we met,
the chairman said in his appeal fol
harmony. THE country has regretted
let us forget-and make amends II
our country
I'VE did not divide over Fundamental
principles, we did not disagree over {
national policy. We split over meth
DDS of party procedure and preferred
personalities.
Let us forget the differences ant
find new inspiration and new compen
sation In united endeavor to restor,
the country.
Republican principles are in
vast majority in this country-whel
the banners of harmony are unfurled
1--WE have witnessed the comebacl
of our party In various states. W.
have seen the re-enlistments of thos,
who believe In Republican doctrines
and victory has followed and rejoicing
has attended"
In connection with foreign affairs
the senator also discussed widened re
lationships of the United States, de
claring that If this government is t
urge the worlds attention to interna
tional justice, and to become tn
agency of a progressive civilization,
must assume the responsibilities O
influence and example and accept tn
burdens of enlarged participation"