The Washington herald., 1922-02-12
Birthday Banqueters Lis
to Plea for COnven-
tion System.
PARTY AS GREATER
THAN INDIVIDUAL
Mrs. Harding's Presence
Signalized as Women's
Advance in Party.


President Harding pleaded for the
return of the convention system, in
addressing the Lincoln Day ban
quet of the league of Republican
clubs here last night.
Characterizing Lincoln as the
great partisan" of American his
tory. Mr.. Harding launched an ap-
peal for strict party loyalty.
'I'll dare say i'll crave the re-
turn Of intelligent convictions" the
President continued. Il would rath-
er have men appeal for popular sup
port on the declaration of a re-
sponsible convention than on the
appeal of a man to his individual To-
cality.
Il had rather trust the declara-
tion of a party in a national con-
vention, expressing the conscience
of its membership than the ephem-
eral whims of the passing moment"
Mrs. Harding Guest.
Beginning his remarks, the Presi-
dent announced that Mrs. Harding.
who accompanied him, was at Re-
publican banquet for the first time.
calling attention to the fact that
women were having a part in this
meeting.
II have come tonight to say how
deeply and sincerely l am interest
ed in Republican organization and
everything that promotes party
spirit" he said.
He paid his respects to party "ir-
reconcilables" by declaring he
would rather see little more OF the
partisanship of Lincoln's day than
the aloofness OF the kind shown
recently.
Il believe in political parties" he
said IF I could express one out
standing wish, l would rather have
a little more of the outstanding
rsrty spirit of Lincoln than the
Kind we have sometimes nowadays.
Party and Responsibility.
"I do not forget that I first re-
duirEd an expression of trust from
the Republican party before accept
ing a position of responsibility in
the nation.
1T was not I that won the cleo
tion in 1920.
The United States gave its ex-
preston of confidence and hope in
the party of Lincoln. Mckinley and
Roosevelt.
Lincoln believed in party dictum
and party policy.
Lincoln was the great partisan.
No greater or better Republican
ever lived. He believed that the
greatest possibilities for service
were in political parties"
President Harding explained that
political parties must always work
for tSe greater good of the nation.
Parties cannot always, foresee or
declare for all contingencies" he
said.
NO party service is worth while
that isn't of highest service to the
nation. I care not what our asso-
Citations may be IL I did not be-
policy was not for the public good.
] would seek to have the party al
ter its policy.
For Collective Judgment.
Il believe iE the collective judg-
ment and vision of the convention.
believe in the dictum of the party
that aims to serve"
The Executive attributed the sue
cess of America to the early forma =
tion of political parties.
It rejoice" he added, that we
belong to the political party that
made possible this surprising na-
tionaI achievement.
The task is sometimes difficult
aad criticism is often rife. There
are many discouragements. But |
would have you remember Lincoln.
the master who was lashed by
angry tongues. piled with vengeful
thorns and drank as bitter a cup
as ever touched human lips. But
his courage was undaunted and he
wrote the supreme chapter in the
life of the republic.
Then came martyrdom which re-
vealed him as the colossus Of the
statesmen of all time.
1T is a joy to come here tonight
and drink inspiration from his
memory. and to maintain the united
republic be handed down to u.s."
Lincoln Words Quoted.
The toastmaster. William Tyler
Page. in opening the banquet quoted
from the words of Lincoln: when
the country is least governed it is
best governed"
He emphasized the fact that the
Republican party should be distinct
lively Republican in its personnel
as dS III tIO dS
soon as the party has time to de-
vote to the subject the holdovers OF
the ,wilson administration should
go.
Mrs. Harriet Taylor Upton, vice
chairman of the executive commit
tee of the Republican National
Committee. emphasized the impor-
tance of the woman's vote.
Senator Shortridge insisted that
the world was indebted to Abraham
Lincoln and that civilization should
give thanks to Almighty God for his
existance.
Answering the introduction OF
Mr.. Page, who declared that al
though the District was not rep
resented in the Houses of Con-
sress, II was represented at the din
ner, Mrs. Virginia White Speel, in
charge of the woman's work of the
Republican State Committee of the
District of Columbia, called upon