Evening star., 1916-06-07
WARREN G. HARDING
SOUNDS c. 0. P.
CAMPAIGN KEYNOTE


day of reconsecration.
"Rededicating here and now the re-
publican party to the progress and
glory of the republic. let US bury party
prefxes with the administration which
our differences put in power. ] do not
believe there is really reactionary
republican bearing credentials to this
convention. II 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 emphasizes his
progressivism is expected to do his
part In making our party reflex OF
the best thought and best intent of
sincere committal to the uplift and
progress of the American people. there
by strengthening party purpose instead
of magnifying individual belief. and
he, too. will find new rejoicing in being
a republican. No party can endure
which is not progressive. ] know the
republican party is genuinely pro-
gressive as well as effective. else it
would not rivet the expectations of the
American people today on the most i'm
portant convention held since the party
formulated a new political decalOgue
and gave to union and nationality the
immortal Abraham Lincoln.
For Representative Government.
In building the surprising temple of
the republic which we have been doing
TO the establishment, sometimes the
envy, sometimes the admiration, of the
world. and ofttimes inspiring others
by our example, there ever will be
notifications and additions to meet
the public need and conform to popu-
lar ideals. We do not fear to initiate
nor fail to originate. but there can be
no discord about underlying founda-
tions essential walls or proven
arches or stately columns. Nine is
deep conviction that the founding
{,,t
wisdom Of representative popular gov
ernment is proven in the surprising
achievement.
1T is not alone the miracle of accom-
plishment which deepens our rev.
erence. it is not alone the conviction
that we have builded the first, seem
inGly dependable. popular government
on the earth and exalted all its citi-
zenship. which adds to our faith: but
we are the oldest of existing civilized
nations, with one passing exception,
continued under one form of govern
ment. and under that form we have
developed the highest standard of liv-
ing i'll all the world. Surely We must
be right.
Recalling that the mightier forward
strides have been taken under half
century of republican control after we
led in fixing the indissoiuble ties of
union, the retrospection. the conter1-
plat1on and the auticipa ton combine
to fill the republican breast with pride
and hope. and trust and faith. and
magnify our obligations in this crucial
year of our national life
Much Of the discussion of the hour
IS hinged upon world at war We
need not wonder thereat. because the
enOrmity of the conflict and the inhiI-
ences of it's horrors have set mankind
In upheaval. The traditions of civilf-
Zation have been broken and interna-
tonal laws hive been ignored There
is a tidal wave of distress and disaster
violent
ned Tears. There are the extremes of
incalculable sacrifices and measureless
new fortunes-not all American There
are new wonders and new hfndrances
In commerce, changed balances of
trade, new marvels in finance and ut
terly changed economic conditions
ihese have attended embarrassments
in our foreign relations as difficult az
those which the Individual citizen ex-
periences whose every neighbor is In
VOWED In deadly quarrel Everything
IS abnormal except the depleted condi-
ton of the federal Treasury which ia
characteristic of democratic control
and the facility of the administration
FOR writing varied notes without et-
fectiVe notice.
America Nation Unarmed.
Amid these conditions has stood
this unarmed giant. typifying the
American republic. neutral and sane.
to whom the neutral nations have
turned for leadership. Our national
unselfishness had been proved, our
devotion to humanity had been estab-
lished. our committal to international
Justice had long been proclaimed
The world had previously heard the
voice OF American fearlessness, and
all the conditions single us out for
leadership among the neutral powers.
but the administration at Washing
ton spoke with more rhetoric than
resolution. and we came to realize what
the warning powers soon came TO know,
that the official American voice lacked
tho volume Of determined expression
that once demanded international heed
and we lacked the strength of conf
dcuce in our own defenseS.