South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-08-26
SENATOR HARDING
MAKES PLEDGE TO
FORMER SOLDIERS
Republican Nominee Address
Is Delegation from Wyan-
dot County, Ohio

MARION. o.. Aug. Sat the
close Of a speech here wednesday
on many issues Of the campaign
Sen. Hafding turned from his aud
fence 20 two visiting soldiers. both
blinded in the Argonne. and sol
EMMY made a public pledge that
there never shall be a substitute
for the stars and Stripes they last
beheld."
1t4 personal touch. which
brought "a mOmeutaIv hush over the
gathering and then was echoed IN
roaring avalanche Of cheers. fol-
lowed broader promise TO the
world that In its efforts for inter-
national concord America never
would surrender its nationality. and
"a suggestion that it would be bet
ter. 90 cultivate waiting 0ppOrtun-
tiles i'm friendly soil Of the new
world than chase a phantom amid
the cnvies and rivals Of the old"
Asks for Economy.
In tho speech the republican
nominee also asked for government
nj and individual economy as the
primary step % reduce the cost Of
living. declared for a policy Of fed
Crel maintenance Of public high
women voters not 70 segre gate
themselves I'm "a ucw party based on
sex prejudice. The democratic adj
ministratiou. he accused OF pre-
mcditated neglect in preparing for
the great war ana of tlrdiness in
making provision for return 10 a
peace status.
Departing from his prepared
manuscript he also paid "a tribute
-
his conviction that were he living
] would be speaking for him az this
moment as your candidate for pres
ident"
The greater part Of the speech
which was delivered from the front
porch 90 % delegation from Wyan-
dot county. Ohio was devoted 20
government economy. The repuh-
Ncau congress. Sen. Harding said,
had saved nearly 2 billion dollars
bv pairing down democratic appro-
pri1uon proposals and thus had APP
piled "thr one available remedy to-
Vy4rd reduction i'm the cost OF liv-
luE r. suggested il would be diff
nclit 90 -uggest any particular
remedy FOR living costs, but de-
clared the government at least
should STOP It's extra pagancz as an
example 20 individual thrift
Neglect Prcmcditatcd.
Asserting that the administration
never could explain why Il did not
prepare sooner foE the war, the
candidate charged that admins
trrtiou officials knew we could
not escape Involvement
.'Thut neglect was prem editated.'
DO continued, and the American
people who are now forced 20 meet
the overwhelming costs or that
NEGLECT have a Just reason to hold
the administration 70 account
The espOusing pan-American
comfy. much dreamed about but
so little realized the nominee as
serted that nobody has a thought
OF American aloofness" or Of any
failure 20 make full contribution
% world progress. By pointing its
efforts toward harmony among the
nations % this hemisphere. he said
the United States could accomplish
good IN a field where trade inter
ests and political aspirations are
mutual
Turning to the question Of high
wav maintenance. Sen. Harding said
10 was "a criminal waste OF public
funds 20 expcnd thousands OF dol
lars per mile on improved highways
and then allow them 10 go % ruin
before half the bonds issued TO pay
for them come 20 maturity. lie
promised that II elected he would
ask congress 10 make "A maintenance
provision a part Of every federal
highway appropriation
Expresses Qualification.
The admonition against "A separate
wcmans party came as a depression
from the nominees prepared speech
after he had expressed qualification
that women were 10 be enfranchis-
ed
Whatever indifference there may
have been over the granting Of the
right OF suffrage TO women" he
said. there can be no question as 20
their fitness. their capacity. their
Patriotism and their earne stuess. I
voted for hi woman suffrage
amendment 10 the constitution. I
hope I may never regret it, There
Is only one thing that could make
ne regret IT, and that would be 20
find the women Of this country seq
regating themselves into parties be-
cause Of the prejudice Of sex
The two blind soldiers 20 whom
sen. Harding directed his closing
words were Elmer Stevens and
Joseph Hulin who had come with
the WyandOt delegation and had
been seated beside the senator as he
talked
Blinded Under Flag.
They were blinded under the
flas. our flag in the ArEonne.'
said the nominee. after he had
turned attention 20 them. IT want
20 publicly pledge 10 them and 10
their comrades WHO suffered i'm
pairment. the republics unfail.ng
and grateful consideration. And
want 10 pledge them something
more 7 know what inspired their
heroism They were figF ing for
America and American rights. II
Il had been for democracy alone.
they would have gone when Bel
gum was invaded. II III had been
for humanity alone they would have
answered the Lusitania's sinking.
Their hearts were stirred. their SUI
prCme offering was made when
America was imperiled-
They can never see again ola
GLORY sublime 20 home and signal
Ing our concept OF freedom and
justice throughout the world. But
I pledge 70 them an assurance in
their hearts which their blind eyes
cannot convey-there never shall be
a substitute for the stars and
Stripes they last beheld-"
Mv,e.-rI Soreov, - OII