Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1920-10-06
A DAY WITH SENATOR HARDING
Calm, Steady Determined, the American Who Is Leading
the Republican Party to Victory Goes About the Bust
of the Campaign in His Modest Office in Marion.

the senator. Just at the minute he is
reading proof on editorials which are
to be printed In his newspaper, the
Marion Star" In the afternoon. The
senator stands for everything that is
printed 10 the "Star," and is careful
to read what goes into its columns be-
fore the paper goes to press. Dispos-
ing of the proof sheet, he shakes
hands cordially with you. and you are
at liberty to size him up.
Mark Him Dependable.
He is somewhat above the average,
of course, because he has already been
singled out by the people Of Ohio to
represent them in the senate. But
aside from this: You are at once
struck by his balance and his poise
You mark him as dependable-safe
There is that In his face, on his brow,
which gives assurance that be is not
the sort of man who will speak with
out thinking, or act without deliber-
ating. There is reserve force 10 his
bearing, determination In his Jaws,
character In his mouth, kindly SYM
pathy In his eyes.
AS you listen to him talk here In
the Christian dining room, or later, In
speech to visiting delegation from
the front porch of his home, this con-
viction Is strengthened. He doesn't say
anything in his office that he wouldn't
say out on the porch, nor anything on
the porch hat he wouldn't adhere to
in all sincerity in his Office.
The thing that strikes you at all
times-it is the very atmosphere Of
Marion-is his moderation, his re-
straint-the absence of all bombast
and exaggeration in his statements,
the careful presentation of the issues,
the avoidance of all attempt to array
one class against the other, the con-
veyance Of the desire, IL called to the
presidency, to be president Of all the
people; and, without making any high
sounding promises, to give all Of the
people the best that is in him.
Avoids Personal Controversy.
Particularly noticeable Is his avoid
ance of personal controversy. Not
once since his nomination has Hard
ing referred In public speech to his
opponent He adheres to the issues.
Not once has he permitted himself to
indulge In personal denunciation Of
his rival.
He is sane. He has fixed convic-
lions as to the moderation and bal
ance which should characterize can
didates for the high Office of the pres
idency; departure from which he be-
lieves, without doing any good to the
candidate who offends, does serve to
bring American institutions into con-
tempt
During the war there was Hard
ing-kind Of man In service as bo'sun
on an American merchantmen. The
time came when the ship was tor
pedoed and the bo'sun was put In
charge OF the tlller on the whaleboat
in which a goodly portion of the crew
took refuge storm arose, and there
was imminent danger that the boat
would be swamped. In the stern
sheets sat the bo-sun, rigid and erect,
his hand locked to the tiller He said
little-"Steady now and then 10 the
rowers; or hold fast; take her head
on !" as the boat rose on the crest Of
giant wave, and then plunged straight
down into the trough of the sea. But
for twenty-thrpe hours straIpht.awaV
he held fast TO the tiller, and he didn't
relnqulsh II until he had guided the
boat hard and fast on friendly beach
Then he got up and stretched and
asked for a pipe of tobacco.
Calm, steady, determined and know.
ing his business, one conceives ot
The other Harding thus guiding The
shir through any storm that 'lnay
arise, to safe harbor.