Milford chronicle., 1920-12-31
AMERICA AT HER BEST
(From Harvey's Weekly


TIMES of the human race. No nations hung upon it wit
intent observing eye awaited its with bate
breath Few had given it serious thought and NOBODY
had taken special pains for preparation 1t entirely
spontaneous therefore entirely natural and there entire
y sincere; in which circumstances its supreme signi
is to be perceived For it, in the quaint phrase
old William of Wykeham, manners makyth man." no less
truly do manners make the nation. Thus must un-
studied display of perfect tact taste literally by all
concerned and in circumstances in which single false
note would rreparably have mared the whole crate
fully regarded manifestation of America her best
If it point of view mere accident it was
from another of grateful significance in the
presence of which alien could repeat the
reproach "Oh. these Americans!" any shamefaced
citizen confess that They order this matter betterelse
wherel"
The striking feature, theoretically of Senator Hard
ings brief visit Washington was of course its nrns
cay unique and unprecedented character before
in our history had actual Senator been President
elect Never before had Presidenelect his seat
and answered to the roca Senate of the United
States In such circumstances degree of embarrassment
or at least of ddent uncertainty have been natur
al and altogether pardonabe But there was none Sem
ator Harding comported himself though he were full
hling the most familiar function his hfe There was
no ahectation of humility, nothing but a Senator
among Senator's" was there any pre-arrogaton of
PRESIDENTIAL dignity. There was nothing but the eas
unaffected realization of his dual capacity as acua c
aor and as Presidenelect with the appropriate
ment of both. N'P'-'
Inc same must specifically be said too with snecial
pnass, Oh MS or1ef speech in the Senate It was as
nawiess in tact as it unique in circumstances No.
was its flavor merely neutral He might hove .1,.
aVoiu possible embarrassment or criticism hv pttor
ons out non-controversia patitudes But he did NOT
~ "nAAy ana courageously addressed himself To what
the late campaign been of the most
acrmonlousy controverted of topics the RELATIONSHIP b
tween the Senate and the Presidency We supnose tbt
IL ne had consulted hundred of his friends ,,n - :,
ahce' hnety-nine of them would have advised him NOT
~ ei 10 It, But he did refer to it. He discussed il
o uncertain tones And as he did so without fear he
% "iout reproach He said not word that his most
cautious friends would wish him to have left unsaid -
not word that his most truculent critic could
lehse In the word which Punch applied to another i
eu man. on similar unique and potentially irving oc
cason ne has said just what ought to have said and
done what he ought to have done"
In the speech, and in every reported detail of +h |
whole visit then, have engaging picture of tvni
cal American gentleman in his best estate 1t was smpv
another demonstration of the fneness of character the
untaing taste the modesy the dignity the blending of
respect for others and for SELF which have invest
ed the personality of Senator Harding with so much
charm and which the American people like to regard as
attributes of those whom they elect the highest sta
tons in the Commonwealth.
We should be unjust to withhold a like need of an
PROBATION from the members of the Senate or from the
"noie PUBIC at the Capitol If anywhere, any time
single false step was taken, escaped Arguseyes of
ne uoqutous press We can imagine the feelings of
Senator's and how easily there might have been from
hem some ebution which would caused regret and
hagrn; or how easily the spirit of the popuace might
ave ndulged in some ndscreet demonstration Or per-
laps we err in saying that such things might easilv
nave occurred Yes we prefer to think that they could
~ nave peeh easy put that the fine blending of cordial
" and reserve, and the lawful rejoicing in victory with
ut offensive exultaton over the vanouisbed ,o tt
ng out the normal courtesy the American neon1 IA
nost welcome and grateful reflection that the Amer
n people are not only sound heart in political p
pies out also cultivated and courteous in their
r. and regardful of what is fitting on occasions 90 49,
lost exactng kind '"e
We might hesitate to discuss publicly another mart 90 b
ne episode which was of peculiarly personal and inti
aee nature Yet since Mrs. Hardng's visit the
Ose is matter of public record should be delnouent
ouy and in courtesy if did add that that too ri
as marked with fawless taste It was of course NOT
unprecedented nor an unusual occurrenoo nr.z - b;
ss II was fine and gracious act for Mrs Wilson N in
nc mrs' harong thither according custom not in d
a ana ceremonous way, but simply and humanity as m
oman 10 woman and friend to rend and it was in the
me spirit that the invitation was accepted The sem
ents ana teengs involved different in kind from, yc
ose which prevailed Senator Hardings visit 70 tb
mate cnamDer but they less strong and sig tn
can ana the incident was the best tradi- Dr.
those Of the of en' IN ,hs caDo
IL we have thus dwe in detail upon what we have de- be
roeu as mere episode by the way, it not for the ~
pose of magnifyng tres rather for the sake of an
iphaszng the TACT that nothing is negligible tride tn
llch dscoses and which confirms the spirit which is in o
en- IL is not matter of indifference whether nation ~
courteous or boorsh whether people gracious or
eouth Apart from the value se the amenities
puonc me- such soenng of the frequent asperi- m
IS and antagonsms Of the political arena practically ne
10 more emcient cooperation in the public qu
e and thus materially advances the national welfare Co
pecaly gratifying is it to have such demonstrations of @
banity and good taste in republic at the concus m,
OF peculiarly animated and aggressive political cam an
ign; showing that under the sway of popular sover an
nt,, ,to s,roras+ ,,o.s,on. - o,,~a .. -. a -. wi
- - '9 P'i ~ . " s' an" 'na' us
most stern democracy" is not incompatible with the