The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1921-06-03
PRESIDENT HARDING
SPEAKS TO M|DD|ES
DIPLOMAS PRESENTED TO
GRADUATING CLASS OF NAV
AL ACADEMY WITH PRAYER
THAT NEW OFFICERS WILL
NEVER BE CALLED INTO
BATTLE, ALTHOUGH AL
WAYS WILLING TO FIGHT.


Harding presented diplomas to the
naval academy graduating class here
today with a prayer that the newly,
commissioned officers never would
be called into battle, but with An ad-
moniton that willingness to fight AMI
die for ones country always must
remain one Of the most potent safe
guards Of civilization. ~
Speaking in Dahlgren hall before
the midshipmen and thousands Of
their relatives and friends assembled
for the graduation exercises the. prea
dent solemnly reafiraned, his faith;
in strong and fearless republic
but added that be wanted it always
a republic Of 'high ideals" The
most desired of national attainments
he said, would-be a medium between
the spirit Of maintained institutions
and the spirit Of the crusaders.
With his expression Of hope that
the nation would not again be called
to war Mr.. Harding coupled prom
ise that so long as he remained pres
dent no American would be called
upon to fire gun except in a cause
in harmony with the American con-
scinece and for which answer could
be made to God.
Advice to- Graduates
The presidents short address was
delivered after be- had handed each
Of the z260 graduating nidshipmen
his. diploma and had personally CON
graduated each on his completion Of
the academy course. Previously Sec
retary. DENLY of the navy depart
ment had made the formal COM
mencement address, advising the
graduates that their best assets as
officers would be the respect and,
love of their men and counselling
them to be truly Officers and gem
tlemen" and never "snobs.' =. g.
Similar advice was given tho
graduates by Rear Admiral A. h..
Scales, superintendent of. the acade-,
my in a farewell talk recounting
their successes and praising them
as zone of the best. bodies of men
anywhere" He touched briefly on
the trouble of the last year at the
academy adding that '|he difficulties
were not ours but the successes are
ours" -. %... .
Accompanied by Mrs. Harding,
the president motored here from
Washington and arrived shortly be-
fore II a. m, the hour set for the
commencement exercises, reviewed
the regiment Of midshipmen drawn
up in line of battalions on the pa
rade grounds, stood at present arms
as he passed, before them while a
battery Doomed the 81 gun presiden-
tial salute. Mr.. and Mrs. : Harding
went first to the house " Admiral
Scales, near Dafhgren hall and after
the ceremonies were the admirals
luncheon guests before starting the
return trip to Washington.
Among the distinguished guests
who sat on the platform during the
commencement program was Ad-
aniral Uriau Of the Japanese navy,
4 member. of the class Of the 1881,
and only living Japanese graduate
Of the academy. Formal notice Of
his presence was taken by Secre-
tary DENLY, who in beginning his
address cordially bid the admiral
welcome to American shores once
more.
Welcome for Sweethearts.'
Both Secretary DENLY and Ad-
miral Scales also officially welcomed
he "sweethearts of the graduating
class" amid much gigging and hand
,lapping from the feminine contin-
gent of the audience. Later Presi-.
dent Harding carried the suggestion
forward into a eulogy of the part
women played in the great Affairs
Of the world.