Arizona republican., 1920-11-05
New President Says League of Nations Is Now Dead Issue
HARDING TELLS FRIENDS HE WOULD RATHER NOT HAVE PRESIDENCY THAN WIN TT BY SPEAKING ILL OR UTTER LIE; HOME FOLKS GREET NEW PRESIDENT WITH OLD-FASH- IONED CELEBRATION
[Republlcan A. P. Leased WIrel

MARION, Ohio, Nov. 4.--Making his first speech as president-e elect, Warren G. Harding declared at an election eel ebration of home folks tonight that the Versailles league of nations was nov deceased" although the new adrninis- tration intended to see that the nation played its part in a new international association founded on peace and jus tice.
 Mir. Harding also told his friends and neighbors who gathered around the front porch in a cheering concourse rivaling the greatest crowd of the cam paign that he had come through the fight without an apology or a. regret and that he would rather not have the presidency than to win it ssby speaking ill or uttering lie."
 The celebration. in which many from other Ohio cities joined was character ized by all the carnival features of an old time political rally. So great was the gathering that the streets were damned for block away and only small part of those present could hear the speech. In a parade past the Hard ing residence there were many special features, one man leading donkey on whose sides was painted. Jimmie didn't treat me right" while another
 
 houetted against red fire background and labeled .-the league of nations"
 It was from the. latter tableau that the president elect took the cue for ths leading thought of his speech. His ref erence to 1t started a laugh and then he said
 T didn't see as much sorrow in your faces as I had apprehended. It's not that. you or I question the desire Of America to play it's part: it's not that we question the high ideals of those who were responsible for the Versailles covenant. You just did not want surrender of the United States or America: you wanted America to go on under American ideals. That's why you didn't care for the league which is now deceased.
 "America is playing. great part now. America is healing the heart of the old world tonight as no other na- tion. But there is more to do. There 1 is a new world relationship and when the next administration comes into power we're going to play our part !. We're going to ask for nations as 1 sociated together in justice; but it l shall be an association which sur renders nothing of American freedom. ]" k In his short. talk the president elect touched on no other issues of the campaign but thanked the crowd for ! its tribute and asked that he go to 1 Washington with your good wishes and your confidence and prayers" 'It's a solemn responsibility he i said. ."and when | am through I want l to be able to come back. and be one ! of you again. the same as I am now. ! like to stand before you and tell you I don't come with a single apol- ogy or regret. Before I'd become president by speaking i'll or uttering g. lie. I'd spurp the. office" He added ! that he always had liked "the Marion spirit of boosting" and that he was going down to Washington as s booster for the United States of Amer ica."
 A Marion Spirit Prevails
 The Marion civic association was the moving spirit in the jolfification. but there were many present from other Ohio cities. including large dele egations from Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati.
 D. R. Crysinger, former Democratic nominee for congress. but a supporter of Mir. Harding through the campaign is president. of the civic association and acted as spokesman for the sere- naders.
 The dozen girl stenographers and clerks attached. to the Harding head quarters headed the parade which formed iii the business section and marched to the Harding residence along the pathway of the front porcf delegations of the campaign. The
 Harding Marching club, Che Women. club of Marion. women employees o
 the Marion Steam Shovel company
 the Harding Railway club and many
 other organization of this and othel
 cities were in the line.
 President elect and Mrs. Hardins first reviewed the parade as 1t passed