Norwich bulletin., 1921-03-03
MARION, TESTIMONIAL, TO
PRESIDENT-ELECT HARDING

Marion. O.. March 2ASpeeded by.
parting testimonial of affection from fhe-
people of their home town. President
elect and Mrs. Harding left for Washing
ton tonight to take up their duties al the
White House.
In the Ieave-talling there were many
colorful touches of regret, and Mr..
Harding's final words to his friends and
neighbors voiced a solemn realization of
the trials that will beset his pathway
But he added that ne faced the journey
confidently. with an unfaltering faith in
the sympathy Of his fellow citizens and
providence of God. The farewell mes
sage of the president-elect was delivered
from the now famous front porch of his
residence here to d conclave of several
| thousand who had gathered to extend
formal farewell. As he spoke his voice
trembied with emotion and Mrs Harding,
standing by his side. looked out on the
assemblage of familiar faces through
eyes dinmed by tears.
The special train carrying the next
president and first lady Of the land de-
parted at 7.30 o'clock and will reach the
capital at 1870 tomorrow afternoon. They
expect to go directly TO a hotel, to remain
until the inauguration ceremonies which
| begin on the following day. On the way
! Mr.. Harding intends to make no speeches
| to crowds that may come out to greet
! him. According to expectations the
prcsident-elect began his trip TO Wash
! ington with one cabinet selection still to
| be definitely announced. Yesterday he
| indicated that the remaining vacancy in
! his official family, the secretaryship Of
labor, would be closed finally before
I night. There was no authoritative ex-
! PLANTATION for the change in plan. but the
impression gained ground that important
Developments had intervened.
! AS part, of the farewell ceremonies at
! the front porch. the president-elect and
] Mrs. Harding were presented with a sill
yer plaque bearing an inscription that in
i .voked a blessing on them in the days to
|. come. The memento was purchased by
1 the peoDle of Marion and was presented
I by DR.. Thomas H. McAfee. pastor of
i Trinity BAPTIST church here in a speech
i praising the pant the coming chief ex-
| ecutiEe and his wife had played in the
honeiy affairs Of their community
4 f;iAt the end of TIE speech the president
Islect and Mrs. Harding stood for more
| than an hour shaking hands with their
/ friends and telling them good bye. Last
,fpf all in the long line came a great New
I foundland dog, Pet of the neighborhood,
| who had. played about the Harding resi-
dence during, many. previous front porch
meetings
Goodbye, old fellow? said Mr.. Hard
ing, reaching down. and an appreciatiye
paw was extended in mute reply.
Then, just as the, nresident-elect was
turning his back, on his home COR long
absence. he spied the. self appointed care.
taker Of the place, Uncle Charley Pat.
lton, democrat nsost of his so years
but an ardent Harding man. He was in
idustriously cleaning the sidfwalk. as lie
had done after every otllc front porch
meeting since the campaign began.
Uncle Charley" said Mr.. Harding
some of the boys have told me you might
like to help the administration by keeping
the White House grounds in trim Well
| if You are thinking Of going down to
Washington for the Inauguration. just
buy one-way ticket the same as I did
for were not coming back right away