The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-06-07
KEYNOTE SPEECH
BY Sen, HARDING
OPENS FOR COP.
Forget Differences Which Split
Party in 1912.
Says Nation Wearied Afresh by
Democrat Reign.
RHETORIC, NOT RESOLUTION
Is Chairman's Shot at Wilson's
Foreign Policies.
Time for Recommendation, Not
determination.
RHETORIC, NOT RESOLUTION
Is Chairman'S Shot at Wilson's
Foreign Policies.
Time for RECONSIDERATION, Not
RecriminatiOn.

party reunion, for reconsecration rath-
er than recrimination, United States
Senator Warren G. Harding of Ohio,
in his address as temporary chairman
opened the Republican national con-
vention here today. Asserting that the
country was ''wearied afresh by dis
appointing and distressing Democratic
ADMINISTRATOR and was calling for
Republican relief, the speaker, before
undertaking to discuss political issues,
appealed to the delegates to forget the
differences which divided the party in
1912.
Referring to the administrations
foreign policy in the European war,
Senator Harding declared that it had
spoken with more rhetoric than reso-
luton. Mexican negotiations he de-
scribed as the greatest fiasco in Amer
lean foreign relations. He paid tribute
to Americanism of foreign birth with
brief reference to the few zealotB who
would impugn the nations neutrality
and urged a fraternity of American
republics under the Monroe Doctrine.
Advocating adequate national defense
he charged the Democratic party with
having interrupted Republican naval
construction and he criticized the
army reorganization bill. He also at
tackled the administration shipping
bill, the effort made to extend indie
pendence to the Philippines, and made
q
tariff.
I'VE did not do very we'll in MAX
ing for harmony the last time we met,
the chairman said in his appeal for
harmony. THE country has regretted,
let us forget-and make amends to
fundamental principles, we did not
disagree over a national policy. We
split over methods of party procedure
and preferred personalities. Let US
forget the differences, and find new
inspiration and new compensation in
united endeavor to restore the
country.
Republican principles are in a vast
majority in this country-when the
banners of harmony are unfurled, We
have witnessed the comeback of~our
party in various states. We have seen
the re-enlistment of those who believe
in Republican doctrines, and victory
has followed and rejoicing has attend
ed. No apology has been asked, no
foreswearing required. This is not the
time for recrimination, it is the day of
reconsecration.
With Heart Aglow for 1916.
"Rededicating here and now the
Republican party to the progress and
glory of the republic, let US bury party
prefixes with the administration which
our differences put in power. / do not
believe there is a really reactionary
convention. If there is, he will de-
part, after our deliberations solely and
proudly a Republican, with heart
aglow with the party spirit of 1916.
And the welcome delegate who empha-
sizes his progressivism, is expected to
do his part in making our party a re-
flex of the best thought and best in
tent of sincere committal to the up
lift and progress of the American peo-
pie, thereby strengthening party pur-
pose instead of magnifying Individual
belief, and he, too, will find new re-
joicing in being a Republican. No
party can endure which is not pro-
gressive.''
The world at war, preparedn ess and
Americas foreign relations served as
the basis for the senator's first dis
cussion of the issues The enormity of
the war in Europe, the tidal wave of
distress and disaster, new wonders
and new hindrances in commerce had
utterly changed economic conditions
and these have attended embarrass-
ments in American foreign relations, -
he said, ''as difficult as those which
the individual citizen experiences
whose every neighbor is involved in
deadly quarrel"
Everything is abnormal except the
depleted condition of the federal treas
ury, which is characteristic of Demo-
cratic control" he said, land the facil-
varied notes without effective notice.
Amid these conditions, America he as
serted had been singled out for leader
ship among the neutral powers but
the administration at Washington
spoke with more rhetoric than resolu-
ton, and we came to realize that the
warning powers soon came to know
that the official American voice
lacked the volume of determined ex-
preston that oEce demanded inter-
L. -.
strength and confidence in our own
defenses.''
In the discussion of foreign rela-
lions the temporary chairman made
particular reference to Americanism,
to the course with Mexico and with
Europe Beginning with Americanism
he traced it back to Independence
days when there were Americans
from Great Britain, from Germany,
from France and Southern Europe
who made common cause. Since
that time, he said, Americas gates
had swung inward to the foreign-born
and they are an inseparabIe and i'm
portant and valued part of our Amer
lean citizenship, and the few zea1ots
of any origin who violate our neutral
ity do not, and can not, impugn the
| loyalty or the American patriotism of
that great body which adds to the
swelling chorus of My Country 'Tis
of Thee, Sweet Land of Liberty"
As to Mexican Problem.
Expressing reluctance to speak of
the division of American sentiment
relating to foreign affairs, Senator
Harding discussed briefly the Mexican
problem. 1T must be said, for the
| truths sake and clearer understand
| ing, we have hungered in vain for that
| unflinching Americanism at Washing
| ton which is needed to exalt the
American SOUL ne declared. There
| is no geographic modification of
American rights. They are the same
l in Mexico that they are on the high