New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-08-26
America First.
Harding Pledge
ToBlind Heroes
Senator Tells Two World
War Veterans ON Front
Porch That No Emblem
Can Replace Old Glory
Ride in Nominees Auto
Pan-American Policy Seen
in His Declaration for
Friendship iii New World

dierS, bllnCed In the ArgOnne, came to
Senator Harding's front porch TODAY
with delegation from Wyandot
County, Ohio. Inspired by their pres
ence, the candidate gave pledge that
the emblem of q super-state shall
never be substituted for the Stars and
Stripes.
The Senator declared that no human
agency could duplicate the sacrifice in
lives and suffering caused by the pre-
meditated unpreparedness that was
used to win votes for President Will
son in 1916. 1t is believed the candi-
date alluded to the Democratic cam
paign slogan: HE kept US out of
war"
There were about 500 men, women
and children in the group of visitors
snd besides these several thousand
Marion folk pressed in a dense mass
to hear the Senator
America First, Is Pledged
1.-TWO sons of Wyandot County are
here to-day who have liade the great
est sacrifice for country which men
may offer short of life ITSELF" said
Senator Harding, in calling attention
to the sightless veterans. "They were
blinded under the flag, our flag. in the
Argonne. | want to pledge publicly to
them and to their comrades who suf-
Tered The republics unfailing and
grateful consideration. They are the
heroes Of nation and a civilization
preserved.
"And l want to pledge them some
thing more. I know whas inspired
their heroism. l know what made them
proud soldiers of the Republic. They
were fighting for America and Amer
lean rights and American ideals of in
ternationaI relationship
If 1t had been for democracy alone
they would have gone when Belgium
was invaded. If it had been humanity
alone they would have answered the
Lusitania's sinking. Their hearts were
stirred, their supreme Offering was
made when America was imperiled."
Here the blind men. Elmer Stevens
and Joseph Hulin, clapped their hands
and the rest of the crowd Joined in a
noisy demonstration of approval. in
which came the sobs of several women.
They can never see again Old Glory
sublime at home and signaling our con-
cept of freedom and justice through
out the world" continued Senator
Harding, but l pledge to them this
afternoon an assurance to their hearts,
which the blind eyes cannot convey
there shall never be a substitute for
the Stars and Stripes"
John 7. Carey. former Mayor of
Upper Sandusky, in his formal greeting
70 Senator Harding in behalf of the
WyaAdot County delegation, said that
the county was normally Democratic
and the best the Republicans had ever
done was when Theodore Roosevelt
in 1904.
That is the closest we have ever
been able to come TO carrying it be-
Tore he continued. But this year
senator, we are going to carry it for
the Republican Presidential ticket by
substantial majority"
Replying to this, Senator Harding
spoke of Colonel Roosevelt. He said:
1 am perfectly confident, l am thor
ougly convinced, that had he been
alive this year l should be speaking
for hlm this moment as your candi-
date for President, rather than for
myself as the nominee of the Repub.
lican party
Commenting on the presence of many
women IN the delegation, Senator Har-
ding said:
Clothed as they soon are to be with
the right of suffrage, it is fine ex-
ample of their appreciation of the re-
sponslbility Of this added right of citi-
zensh'p that they observe this first op-
por'un1ty to show their interest and
concern In matters political
voted for the woman suffrage
amendment to the Constitution. hope
may never regret it.
Politics Fine Business
,Ihere is only one thing that could
make me regret it, and that would be
TO ind the women of this country
segregating themselves into parties be-.
cause Of the prejudice of sex. They
are coming into the political parties
ana they will take their places there
| thlnk | know which party you like
best.
You women must come into the
political parties and make them what
tney ought to be if they are not al
ready that, and don't you ever imagine
1or moment that politics is a muddy
poor. 1t IS the finest and most patri-
otlc business in the United States Of
America, and this is your country, and
you women must make the political
ParNes representative of your ideals
am glad you are coming in. The
waters fine"
pan american policy was fore
swallowed by Senator Harding's decla-
ration that it would be better for the
united States to cultivate waiting OPP
portunities "in friendly Sort in the
New World than to "chase q phantom
amid the envleS and rivalries of the
Old"
Nobody has a thought of American
aloofness to the world, nobody would
Tolerate the thought Of American fail
ure TO make full contribution to world
progress, maintained security and pre-
served peace. But, frankly doesn't
our sphere for the greater and more
heipiul influence lie in our natural
partnership on the Western Continen,
IN the American comfy, much
dreamed about, but so little realized
When he had fisished his speech. Sen
a'or Harding had a chat with the blind
soldiers, and said:
II | could just tell you boys what
feel IN my heart I'd be eloquent"
The two men with their women kin
ioiks were driven to the railroad sta
Non In Senator Harding's automobile
Senator Harding's Speech
Senator Harding said in part:
Our country is suffering day ir
common with much of the world as {
result result OF the great war. We have this
J