New-York tribune., 1921-03-03
Neighbors Come to Bid
Farewell and Present
Silver Plaque as Token
to the President-elect
Last Meeting Held
On the FrOntPorch
Makes Pledge TO Serve
Gin Good Conscience.
to the Best of Abilitv'
BY Boyden r. Sparkes
From StnN Correspondent

FROM q Stag Correspondent
MARION, Ohio, March 2.-Thc unas
sumlng green frame house with the
white front porch at $50 Mount Vernon
Avenue, thcater of the Republican
PRESIDENTIAL campaign. found itself to-
Gay once moro cngulfed by men and
women. This, however, was not a Wis
ltlng delegation seeking excuses to
cheer candidate for high political of
flee. 1t was a silent gathering of
friends some of them fearful, come to
bid farewell to their good neighbors
Warren and Florence Harding, who left
tonight at 80 O'Clock for Washinp-
ton. They will arrive in the capita, at
l:30 p. m. tomorrow.
The coal and lime dealer who rented
the Harding home after election has
net taken possession. So it was that
:hc Prcsidcnt-clect and his wife en-
tered the vacant house this mornjnc
by the kitchen door. The echo of their
footsteps in the empty rooms release ed
Hood of memories, among them
thoughts OF the day when they first
came to this dwelling, newly married
against the wishes of the brides
father, Amos King, then Marion's rich
est citizen, and who thought and de-
Si"reo mat ms son-ln-law was doomed
to failure.
II sorc of this could have been i'm
parted to the throng that covered the
yard; the street and the lawns of
neiEhbors for three houses in eithe,
o"'ctoA 1T might have curbed their
lmpatlencc. But all they learned Of #
was read from the inflamed ewes and
,"i'chlng lips Of the woman who is to
DC mistress OF the White House when
s"c finally camc through the front
door, walking beside her husband
whose own eyes reflected moist
gleam
Their Tribute
mere was too much of sorrow in
me hearts of the people who watch Il
the hgures on the porch to nerm;t
cheerng. Only the schooboys perch ed
IN winter -denuded trees seemed insen-
slp!e to the uncomfortable thoughts
troubling their elders.
>, Hokc Donithan, lawyer, who was
Marlon's delegate to the Chicago con
;om''oi mat nomlnatcd Senator Hard
ing for the Presidency, stood on the
porch. one of Il group Of intimates Of
the Hardings. His cravat was awrv,
exposing the brass head of his collar
button. Tears were rolling down his
cheeks. Some one in a hoarse whisner
asked why he was crying and Donithan
gulplng, replicd: "Derned if I know, y
!, JIM Prendergast, Democrat. pal Of
1he Presldent-elect and a wealthy
lumber dealer, stood near the Hard.
lnss. IN ms arms he displayed with
ieNciencc SILVER plaque on a mahog-
any mounting. Raised lettering on this
read 0'' ''' >
10 Warren Gamalicl Harding and
from the citizens of Marion in tosti' -r.,tf
mony of affection and of gratitudo To-,
loyal friendship, devotion to the nnb-
nc welfare and service to the high-
est conception Of American citizen-
SNIP Gods blessing to y2u yqu.
"March 2, 1921" N'''0'
of Marion, held up his arm. and o(a cona " =
manded: Everybody silent F,verv uor,.
body silent This man went to scbooI
win the Presldent-elect in Caledonia,
IN neighborng county. That wa
When the village doctors son was called
poe Harding by all who knew him
"A Friend to Man"
Then whom the boys in the trees
were silent the Rev. DR.. T. G. McAfee
began to speak. He is the pastor Of
the First Baptist Church, which the
Hardings attend. He was to have
spoken the invocation last summer at
'he notlication ceremonies, but WAS
stricken with paralysis day or so
before the event His right arm re-
mains twisted, so that his daughter
handed him the sheets of his prcsen-
Iation speech. Mr. Harding held his
brown fedora hat in his hands as The
minister read and kept his eyes on
his minister's face. Mrs. HARDING tried
'valnly to keep back the tears, biting
her lips nervously. e
We will follow you to our nations
capital )" said Or. McAfee. 1--WE will re-
Jolce IN your achievements; we will
Continued page three)