The New York herald., 1921-03-03
HARDING DEPARTS
FOR THE CAPITAL,
CHEERED BY $500
Home Folks at Front Porch
in Marion Bid Godspeed
to Next President.
SILVER PLAQUE GIFT
City's Leading Democrats
i'm Control of Farewell to
Their Native Son.
PLEDGES HIS VERY BEST
Saws He Will Serve Nation as
President as He Served
Marion as Neighbor.
PLEDGES HIS VERY BEST

Special Despatch TO THE NEW YolK HElALp
MARION, Ohio, March 2.-Just an
hour before noon the sun came OUT
Mount Vernon avenue in a warm
friendly sort of glow. The weather
prospects before had been somewhat
forbidding. Rain threatened. The out
look caused dozens Of persons III the
crowd which had assembled to wish
President-elect and Mrs. Warren G.
Harding godspeed to Washington to
remark that the Harding luck seemed
to have deserted him at the last mo-
ment.
Good weather had prevailed on every
occasion last summer and fall when
important assemblages gathered before
the famous front porch. But when the
sun came out to-day just a moment or
SO before Mr.. and Mrs. Harding stepped
out TO receive the good wishes Of their
townspeople and neighbors from all
around. some one close by remarked
that Mr. Harding had not lost his
lucky piece in Florida
Ten o'clock, an hour before the cere-
monies were to begin, found the crowds
gathering in front Of the Harding resi-
dence. They came from all over
Marion county and as far away as
Cleveland and Columbus. They came
In sincere. friendly sort of way to
extend good wishes and good luck to
their distinguished neighbor. Most Of
the 1900 persons gathered in Mount
Vernon avenue have met President
elect and Mrs. Harding at some time
or other during the formers public
career. Many Of them knew Senator
Harding intimately.
Mrs. Harding at His Side.
There were no brass bands, no attempt
at any pomp or display. 1t was just a
whole hearted tribute by plain and
modest group to one Of their own.
Mr.. Harding caught the spirit OF the
demonstration. He told his callers he
intended TO play his part in the larger
sphere Of activity to which he has been
called in the same way he would do IL
as a neighbor and fellow citizen OF
Marion. He asked his neighbors for
their prayers in his behalf and said he
hoped 10 emerge from his term OF public
service with the esteem of the country
comparable 70 what was expressed to-
day.
Mrs. Harding stood beside her hus-
band as he delivered his valedictory. She
was visibly affected and several times
touched her handkerchief to her eyes
and once seemed on the point OF whisper
ing suggestion 10 Mr.. Harding.
ID. r. Cr.ssinger. better known locally
as Dick, and Jim Prendergast, Marions
most distinguished Democrats, took
charge OF the arrangements. Mr. Prem
dergast came out bea ring the solid silver
plaque that was Marion's expression OF
affection for Mr.. and Mrs Harding.
A cheer went up when Mr.. and Mrs.
Harding appeared a moment later and
Cr1ssinzer signalled for silence.
The Rev. DR.. r. II. McAfee. pastor
of the First Baptist Church. was the
selected spokesman for the occasion.
After brief testimonial to Mr.. and Mrs.
Harding leading up to the presentation
of the plaque he said
I'VE will follow you to our nations
capital, we will rejoice in your achieve
ments, we will rest quietly in the con-
hdence OF your wise leadership. We will
remember you In your burdens and
anxieties. we viii not forget you in our
prayers that our God may sustain you
and. when all Is over. We shall receive
you in the bosom of our friendship,
there TO abide. not as the ex-President
of the nation but az Walt Wh!tman's
poetical ideal, one who lives by the
side of the road and Is friend or
man"