McNairy County independent. (Selmer, McNairy County, Tenn.) 1902-1969, 1920-07-23
HARDING SPEECH
OF ACCEPTANCE
A NEW KEYNOTE
Republican Nominee at
Notification Ceremonies
Discusses Problems
Confronting Nation
"h0LD HERITAGE AME RlcAn
NATIONALITY UNlMPAIRED"

Advocates Party Responsibility A
Distinguished From Dictatorial and
Autoeratlc Personal RuIe--in Refer
ring to League Of Nations, Says We
Do Not Mean to Shun Single Re-
sponsibiiity Of This Republic to
World civiiization-Favors Protee.
tive Tariff, Merchant Marine, a
Small Army, Woman Suffrage and
National Budget.
Marion, Ohio. - Especially Warren
q. Harding was officially notified here
Of his nomination as the Republican
candidate for the presidency. His
speech OF acceptance is, In part, az
follows:
Chairman Lodge. Members of Mott.
fication Committee, Members of Ma.
tional Committee. Ladies and Gentle.
men: The message which you have
formally conveyed brings to me a real.
ization OF responsibility which is not
underestimated. 1t Is supreme task
to interpret. The covenant of a great
political party, the activities of which
are SO woven Into the history of this
republic. and very sacred and solemn
undertaking to utter the faith and as
pirations Of the many millions who
adhere TO that party. The party plat.
form has chartered the way, yet some
how. we have come to expect that In
"a sns q tfnr nh N fof& 20
nominees who must assume specific
tasks.
Let me be understood clearly from
the very beginning. believe In party
sponsorship In government. | believe
In party government as distinguished
from personal government. individual
dictatorial. autocratic or what not.
No man is big enough to run this
great republic. There never has been
one. Such domination was never in.
tended. Tranquility, stability. de-
pendability-all are assured In party
sponsorship, and we mean to renew
the assurances which were rended in
the cataclysmal war.
Our frs. committal Is the restora-
ton Of representative popular govern
ment, under the constitution, through
the agency OF the Republican party
Our vision includes more than a chief
executive. We believe In cabinet of
highest capacity. equal to the respon.
sibilities which our system .contem.
plates, In whose councils the VICE
president. second official OF the repub-
lie, shall be asked to participate. The
same vision includes cordial under
standing and co-ordinated activities
with house OF Congress, fresh from
the people. voicing the convictions
which members bring from direct con.
tact with the electorate, and cordial
cooperation along with the restored
functions Of the Senate. fit to be the
greatest deliberative body OF the
world.
II is not difficult. Chairman Lodge.
TO make ourselves clear on the CUES
tion Of international relationship. We
Republicans OF the Senate. conscious
Of our solemn oaths and mindful Of
our constitutional obligations. when
We saw the structure OF a world super.
government taking visionary form.
Joined in becoming warning Of our
devotion to this republic. II the torch
Of constitutionalism had not been
dimmed. the delayed peace OF the
world and the tragedy OF disappoint-
nent and Europe's misunderstanding
Of America easily might have been
avoided. The Republicans OF the Sen.
ate halted the barter OF independent
American eminence and influence.
which II was proposed to exchange
for an obscure and unequal place In
the merged government OF the world.
Our party means to hold the heritage
Of American nationality unimpaired
and unsurrendered.
The world will not misconstrue. We
Do not mean to hold aloof We do not
mean to shun a single responsibility
Of this republic to world civilization.
There il no hate in the American
heart. We have no envy. no suspi.
ciop no aversion for any people in the
world. We bold TO our rights and
mean TO defend, aye. We mean to sus.
tain the rights Of this nation and our
citizens alike everywhere ander the
shining sun. Yet there Is the concord
VI sInity and sympathy and fraternity
In every resolution There is genu.
inc aspiration In every American
breast for tranquil friendship with
ali the world.
One may readily sense the con.
science OF our America. I am sure I
understand the purpose OF the domi.
nant group OF the Senate. We were
not seeking to defeat a world aspira.
tion-we we're resolved to safeguard
America. We were resolved .then,
even as we are today. and will be to-
morrow, to preserve this free and indie.
pendent republic
In the call Of the conscience OF
America is peace, peace that closes
the gaping wound OF world war and
silenees the impassioned voices of In
ternational envy and distrust. Heed.
iax this call and knowing as ! do the
disposition OF the Congress, ] promise
you formal and effective peace ?,
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