Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-11-06
by DAVID LAWRENCE

Copyright, 1921
MARION, O., Nov. 3.-How does
1t feel to be elected president of
the United States?
Many Of us who watched the VIC
torious candidate A 6eive the returns
| and saw him keep an even keel
| never ruffled, never up stage, never
exhibiting even the school boyish
joy that one might expect upon such
an occasion, could not but come to
the conclusion that President-elect
Harding will face all the big mo-
ments of his career with the same
deliberateness, the same calmness
and the same modesty that seemed
to invest him as the greatest gift
In the nations power was slowly but
surely bestowed upon him by the
telegraphed returns of the vote in
all parts of the United States.
Conservatively Senator Harding
read the dispatches. The joyous ex-
pressions of the people at his home
made him happy, yet only when a
delegation of printers and employees
from his own newspaper came to the
front porch to rejoice with Warren
Harding did he choke with emotion.
1t was their joy, their happiness,
their enthusiasm which he caught.
He broke for only a moment. Soon
he was himself again and calmly ex-
aiming the returns, nodding here
and smiling there, mingling among
his guests and going about his own
house with the same ease that a
practiced host might display upon
inviting a houseful of folks for a
sc cial occasion.
Ever since the Chicago convention
last June people have beer assuring
Warren Harding that he would be
elected; people who ought to know
the political trend of the country; but
never did the senator permit him
self to imagine that the contest was
really over, that he was actually
elected. Even when rival headquar-
tiers were concediEg the election, he
did not give vent to his innermost
feelings.
Perhaps it was the caution which
Mrs. Harding always was express
II salute you as the first lady of
the land" exclaimed an enthusiast
tic neighbor to Mrs. Harding.
"Oh, it's too early for that" in
sisted the wife of the senator.
"And I shall not kiss Warren I'M
til I really know he is elected
It was Senator Harding himself
who reminded me that four years
ago the people were fooled by early
election returns. I explained to him
that the Hughes election was con-
ceded before enough states had peen
heard from to warrant such a con-
cession and that this time the re-
turns had come in from enough
states to make the result more than
certain, including western states:
That's true" he answered with
a. smile. at does look good, doesn
For innate modesty there are few
men like Senator Harding in pub
lie life. For rugged honesty AND
conscientiousness, it would be well
for the nation if more men emulat-
ed his example Governor m Cox Cox mas mas
is extremely doubtful whether the
senatorial group will control Sena-
tor Harding. If the Republican SEN
ators expect to do so as they used
to in other administrations they
will find themselves very much mis-
Harding is loyal to his friends, but
a. sense of duty carries him even be-
yond friendships. He has mind OF
his own and will power which Will
accept him as a vigorous character
Senator Harding hasn't made a
single promise of a cabinet portfolio
The inner circle is as much in the
dark about that as the outer circle
containing the great body Of Amer
made up his mind to take a rest first
and think about his new job after
wards. He goes to the southern
most end of Texas and then to Pana-
ma and will keep away from the
horde of office seekers who camp on
the door step Sss . president-elect.
AS for future policies the senator
read carefully the election returns
without comment as to their mean
ing. He answered the inquiry Of one
reporter as to whether America
would enter the League of Nations
by declaring that he need have no
apprehension about America enter