Omaha daily bee., 1922-02-13
Harding Pleads
for Party Spirit
of Lincoln's S Time
President, in W ashington
Speech, Expresses Wish for
Return of Intelligent Con-
ventions in Republic

Washington, Feb. l2.-President
Harding in Lincoln day address be-
fore the League of Republican
State Clubs of the District OF Co.
lumbia last night said he craved
"the return OF intelligent conven-
tions in the republic"
Il had rather have men appeal
for popular support on the pro-
nouncements Of party conventions,
uttcring their convictions" the pres
ident said, than to have the appeal
Of the individual for his particular
locality.
II believe in political parties. Ours
is the representative popular gov
ernment, through political parties,
and if | could express one outstand-
ing wish tonight, ! would rather
have little more of the party spir-
it Of Lincoln's time than some |
know of nowadays.
Lincoln was the great partisan.
No greater or better republican ever
lived. And he believed, as l know
you believe, that the greatest pos
siblities OF service are in the party.
Women Add Tributes.
Senator Shortridge of California
Representative Beedy of Maine. Col.
Edward James Cattell of Philadel-
phia, Mrs. Harriet Taylor Upton,
vice chairman Of the executive COM
mittee of the republican national
committe and Mrs. Virginia White
Speel OF this city also spoke. All eulog-
lied Abraham Lincoln and appealed
for continuance of his spirit, with
in the, party while the women added
to their tributes to the great presi-
dent All appeal for the women OF the
nation to take greater part III the
public life OF the country.
The president was accompanied
by Mrs. Harding, who he said, was
attending her first republican BAN
quet.
Discussing the Importance Of
party interest and party spirit and
party activity Mr.. Harding said:
Il do not forget that | first required
an expression Of the trust of the re-
publican party before ! could have
a position of trust in the nation e
Il never forget" he added, that
it was not l, the individual, who
won the election OF 1920, but the
United States of Amtrica gave its
expression of confidence and hope In
the party of Lincoln, Mckinley and
Roosevelt"
Policy for Public Good.
In speaking of the Importance Of
political parties in the American sys-
tenn OF government, the president
said:
when you serve the nation, you
honor the party that trusted you. II
| did not believe with all my heart
that party policy was for the pub
lie good, then ] would seek to have
my party alter the policy.
1T has been repeatedly said," the
president declared. "that men in
congress represent the nation rather
than their districts That ought to
be. true" he added, "but there is no
party service worth while that is not
i'll the end of highest service to the
nation. | believe in the collective
Judgment. ] believe III tht collective
vision of the convention, | believe in
the dictum Of party"
Referring to Lincoln and the diff
ficulties and criticism which he faced
Mr.. Harding said:
DO not forget how they came tothe
master martyr who was lashed by
angry tongues as no public servant
was ever lashed. He drank from as
bitter a cup as ever touched human
lips, but his faith was unaffected,
his courage undaunted and he wrote
the supreme chapter in the life of
the republic, because in the commit
ment of his party he was devoted TO
union and nationality and martyrdom
revealed him as the most colossal
statesman of all tines
The leagut adopted resolution
urging congress TO declare Lincoln's
birthday legal holiday, within the
District Of Columbia.