Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1922-05-30
HARDING SAYS
.EMANC|P ALTON
is SECONDARY
Maintained Unity. and
Nationality Supreme
In Nations History
Chief Eecutive Holds.

OItleI LtCuUANC, IAOAAos
Washington, May 30" Main
tlained union and nationality"
rather than emancipation was
declared to be the supreme chap
ter in American history by Pres
ident Harding In an address today
accepting the Lincoln memorial In
behalf of the American people.
Lincoln would have compromised
with slavery, Mr.. Harding de-
clIared, while cleaving to his great
purpose maintenance OF the I'm
heritance handed down by the
founding fathers'
Declaring that the new memoir
ial was fittingly placed near the
towering spire of the Washington
monument, Mr.. Harding said that
washington, the founder and
Lincoln, the savior" offered out
standing proof that representa-
tive popular government, constitu-
tionally founded, can find Its own
way to salvation and accomplish
ment.O
The president spoke as follows:
Memorial Is Tribute
"It Is a supreme satisfaction of
ficially to accept on behalf OF the
government this superb monument
to the savior OF the republic. No
official duty could be more well
come, no official function more
pleasing. This memorial edifice is
a noble tribute, gratefully be-
slowed, and in its offering Is the
revent heart OF America; In its
dedication is the consciousness Of
reverence and gratitude beautiful
ly expressed.
"Some how my emotions Incline
me to speak simply as a reverent
and grateful American rather than
one in official responsibility.
am thus inclined because the true
measure of Lincoln is In his place
today in the heart OF American
citizenship, though near half
century has passed sinve his col
lossal service and his martyrdom.
In every moment OF peril, In every
hour OF discouragement whenever
the clouds gather, there Is the
image of Lincoln to riVet our hopes
and to renew our faith. Whenever
there is a glow Of triumph over
national achievement, there comes
the reminder that but for Lin
coin s heroic and unalterable faith
In the union, these triumphs could
not have been.
~ Greatness Recognized
"No great character In all his
tory has been more eulogized. no
rugged figure no more monu-
mental, no likeness more por-
tIIayed Painters and sculptors
portray as they see, and no two
see precisely alike. So too, Is
there varied emphasis in the por-
traiture of words, but all are
agreed about the rugged greatness
and the surprising tenderness and
unfailing wisdom Of this master
martyr.
"History is concerned with the
things accomplished. BiogIIaphy
deals with the methods and the In
dividual attributes which led to
accomplishment.
Emancipation But Means
"The supreme chapter in his
tory is not emancipation, though
that achievement would have ex-
alted Lincoln throughout all the
ages. The simple truth is that
Lincoln recognizing ian established
order, would have compromised
with the slavery that existed, IL
he could have halted It's exten-
sion. Hating human slavery as
he did, he doubtless believed In
its ultimate abolition through the
conscience OF the
American people but he would
have been the last man In the re-
public to resort TO arms to effect
its abolition. Emancipation was a
means to the great end-main-
tanned union and nationality.
Here was the great purpose, here
the lowering hope, here the SUI
preme faith. He treasured the in
handed down by the
founding fathers, the ark OF the
covenant wrought through their
heroic sacrifices and builded in
their inspired genius. The union
must be preserved. 1t was the
central thought, the unaltered
purpose, the unyielding intent, the
OF faith. 1t was worth
every sacrifice. justified every
cost, steeled the heart to sanction
every crimsoned tide of blood.
Here was the great experiment.
popular government and constitu-
tional-menaced by greed express
sion in human chattels. With the
greed restricted and unthreaten-
ing, he could temporize. When it
federal authority and
threatened the union, II pro-
nounced its own doom. In the