The Topeka state journal., 1922-04-27
President Harding Meanwhile
Is Speaking at Point Pleasant.
CEREMONIES OVER NATION
Bronze Memorial to Memory of
Leader in U. s. Capital.
Grant Stood for Army of De-
fense, But Not Aggression.
Text of President Harding's
Speech on Page 8.

Cincinnati. April 27.-It is report
ed here that a portion of the boiler
deck of the Island Queen, one of the
steamers in the flotilla conveying
President Harding to Point Pleasant.
had collapsed near New Richmond.
Ohio. The president was not on the
Island Queen.
At 2:15 p. m. the boats had not
reached Point Pleasant.
The American Telephone and Tele-
graph company here reported that
the Cayuga docked at Point Pleasant
at 2:2S p. m. At that time the Is
land Queen was reported to be passing
ClermontsviIle, midway between New
Richmond and Point Pleasant.
Point Pleasant. o., April 81
Against the menace of enemies within
our borders, a century and a half of
gratifying American achievement will
be held secure for all time by the
patriotic citizenship of the republic.
President Harding declared here to-
day in an address in commemoration
of the one hundredth anniversary of
the birth of Gen. Ulysses S. Grant.
The future of the United States
the president said to the thousands
who were gathered here from all parts
of Ohio and neighboring states, IS
guaranteed so long as leaders among
men put the country's good above per-
sonal and political advantage.
His Plan Was the Best.
Standing just off the main street of
the tiny village near the caFin in
which Grant was born, President
Harding delivered a stirring eulogy of
the great strategist of the Civil war.
The president deplored the chaos
ha III fIz in n
the world and expressed deep regret
that true peace had failed to follow
in the wake of victory.
81 cannot help but believe he said,
that something of the way in which
Grant welcomed victory. something of
the eaRerness to return to peaceful
ways. would have speeded the restora-
ton and -hastened the return to pros
perity and happiness, without which
there can be no abiding peace.
The contentious which beset US
are not ours alone" he continued.
They are the irritants to civilization
thruout the world. They are not to
be ignored. but they have never halted
the human procession and will not
hinder the progress of this firmly
founded republic"
Arm-For Defense Alone.
The president pointed out toward
the close of his speech that altho
Grant had proclaimed the doctrine of
moral disarmament at Appomattox
he believed in a nation equipped for
righteous defense
But no aggression was in his
breast" the president declared i can |
well believe that he would have ap- !
proved all that the Republic has so |
recently done in joining other nations |
in lifting the burdens of armament
and promoting understandings which |
make war less likely.
Il know he would have approved, J
1ence, we gave up none of our ma
-ionaIity for which we fought, but we
have furthered the assurance of
peace"
Only One Knew Grant Well.
Point Pleasant, April 27.-Tho |
took part in the celebration |
Of the one-hundredth anniversary of
the birthday of General Grant here !
today. but few were able to say they !
knew him personally.
Only one such person now lives In |
this vicinity.
He is william Forester, Civil war |
veteran. He was assigned a place Of |
honor near the speaking platform. |
This is the second Grant celebration |
here. The first was in 1907 when n !
cannon was mounted in front of the |
site of the Grant home 1t did not |
bear the national aspect. however, |
which the present one bears.
Tried to Make Him Democratic !
Chicago. April 27.-Four years be-
lore Gen. Ulysses S. Grant was elected I
president of the United States on the
ticket, he was approached /
With a view to making him the Dem
ocratic candidate. an offer which he
promptly and decisively rejected, ac-
,ording to a letter published for the
irst time today.
The historical paradox was revealed
m Grants centennial anniversary to-
lay by Chicagoan, John G. Burns.
on of Col. Barnabas Burns. a Civil
var soldier. Near the close of the
var the war Democrats" OF Ohio
hose Colonel Burns chairman Of their
central committee and placed him in
'harge of preliminary campaign ar
In his reply to the offer. General
srant stated;
Nothing likely to happen would
,ain me so much as to see my name
lsed in connection with political Of
ice L am not a candidate for any
'ffice nor for favors from any party.
1et US succeed in crushing the rebel
ion in the shortest possible time. and
(Continued on Page Sikh