Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1921-12-30
HARDING And DEBS .
Christmas Conference In the White
House
NO REQUESTS And NO PLEDGES MADE

President Very Much Affected by the
Views Entertained by the Great
Apostle Of Sociaiism-Both Opposed
to War
New York World. tgtl Z
Washington, Dec. 27.-The World is
enabled herewith to publish a sketch
of the conversations between Warren
G.. Harding, president of the United
States, and Eugene V. Debs, ex-con-
vict Socialist leader and by President
Harding's own action, man without
a country. e.. ...,.-
The scene was the presidents Of
fee in the White House. 1t was Mon
day morning, celebrated as Christmas,
but the president was on the job. A
tall man, smiling, entered the Execu-
tive Offices. He was dressed like
what he was, discharged convict in
shoddy, prison made clothes and pris-
on-made shoes. He was ushered by
guard into the office of Secretary
Christian, and then Christian bowed
him into the inner office, where stood
the president of the United States.
The World Is not permitted to quote
directly either OF the parties to the
conference. But the president said
that he had promised himself the priv
ilege of meeting his guest and that he
was most happy to shake his hand.
His guest replied that he: was most
pleased to be able 10 look the presi-
dent of the United States in the face
and TO say to him that he believed
him to he as thoroughly honest and
sincere as any man could be. Then
the president asked Mr.. Debs to sit
down, and together they discussed the
ways Of the world.
Comparison of Theories.
They agreed that. the world was in
n troubled state, but the president
said he believed the way to meet the
difficulties was to- adopt the. tran
guilty of Jesus Christ, to conciliate,
mediate. to pursue the peaceful course.
That marked the point Of disagree
ment. Mr.. Debs said Christ was not
tranquil when tranquility was of no
avail. When Christ was fighting the
powers of wealth, Mr.. Debs said he
lcshed the rich with scorpions of fire.
and as Christ had suffered and died
for his own convictions, other men
had and would. and he, Debs, could
expect no greater reward in this world
than Christ had received.
Mr. Debs then attempted to ac-
quaint the president with his point of
view on economic and political aft
fairs. He told the president with the
candor for which every one gives him
credit that he felt himself rs close rs
q brother to Mr.. Harding, and that it
was difficult to believe they could be
so far apart in their honest convic-
tions. But these convictions were
honest with each man, and each was
entitled to cherish them, neither priv
ileged to rob the other of the right to
free expression.
Not Surprised by Hatred.
He was hated, said Mr.. Debs, and
he expected nothing more or less. He
has been, was being, and would be mis-
represented before the world and men
would call him vile names, and be-
cause men were bad, but because men
die not know him or did not react 10
facts as he reacted.
Mr.. Harding was affected He lis
tened with complete attention and
there is excellent reason 10 believe
that tear fell from his eye. He in
terrupted Mr.. Debs now and again to
tell him that he, the president, was
most mindful of the suffering of hu-
man beings and that he believed there
was q way being made toward q
world without war. He said frankly
that he Yves opposed to the idea Of war
and that he would do all in his power
against it.
On this point there was no dis
agreement as between the president
and the shoddily clad visitor. Mr..
Dcbs told the president he knew he
was opposed to the idea of. war and
that he could not conceive Of man
who could e3pouse war rs a method
OF progress.
The president asked fully about the
health of his guest and he found 4
man sixty-six years old. with the vigor
OF n youth. Debs then said he had
spent three years with the outcasts Of
the earth, the lowest men, convicts in
prison. He said he had faith in these
men and that he believed each of them
possessed OF rich possibilities in favor
able circumstances. He made Il spec
ial appeal to the president on this
point, but he gave him a picture OF
men in prison as he has seen them.
No Requests or Pledges.
President Harding made no request
of Debs. Debs made none to Mr.
Harding. No secrecy was imposed
upon the guest. He was as free as
any man to speak the truth as he saw
it. He was told no one expected him
TO surrender any conviction he might