Evening star., 1923-04-07
PRESIDENT SCORES
LEGISLATIVE BL0CS
Declares Nation Should
Guard Against System.
Foreign Affairs Status.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated PresS.
AUGUSTA, Ga, April domestic
affairs of the nation are the great
est concern, and the nation should
guard against the development of
classes and the organization of blocs.
according to President Harding. The
chief executive expressed these views
at a dinner given in his honor by
Augusta citizens last night. 1t was
his first speech since he began his
vacation trip into the south.
There is a menace to the nation"
said the President, "in the develop
ment of classes and in the organiza-
ton OF blocs. There Is danger in
envy and jealousy. Let us be on
guard against their development"
Spoke for south to Hear.
The President touched on a variety
of topics and 1t was apparent that In
talking to his Augusta audience he
was striving to reach the ear of the
south.
Domestic affairs constitute the pres
ent chief concern of the nation, Mr..
Harding said after his reference to
classes and blocs.
we need not worry about our in
ternational affairs" he continued. "I
can tell you with a measure of pride
that they were never better than they
are today"
He added that perhaps the United
States was not doing all that some of
America do. but predicted that "it
will be the verdict of Europe when
she has Fighter herself, as she surely
will. that the republic of the United
States is the most just nation in the
world"
Says South Co-Operates.
The President also voiced an ap-
peal that the people of the south as
we'll as those Of the north think more
Of what you can do for your govern
ment than what your government can
do for you"
After declaring that he did not be-
lieve vestige of the civil war sec
tionalism remained, Mr.. Harding said
that during his administration he
never had received more generous Of
fers of cooperation than those ten
dered by the south.
There ought not be any sec
tionalism in the United States" he
went on. There ought not to be any
classes in the United States"
Opposes Play for Votes.
Government can only be concerned
in the things that come of the COM
mon veal" he said, after having as
serted that the government was not
interested in the farmers because
they were the largest body of voters,
but because they were engaged in a.
great basic industry: not interested
In the railroads because of their
wealth and power, but because of
their Importance to the welfare of the
nation, and not interested in the
former service men because of their
numbers and political power, but be-
cause of the debt of gratitude it
owed them.
you cannot run this republic of
ours merely to affect votes on cleo
tion day." he declared.
Brief addresses were made by
Thomas ]. Hamilton, editor Of the
Augusta Chronicles; Maj. Julian NJ.
Smith, Benjamin E. Pierce, vice presi-
dent Of the Augusta Chronicle Pub
commander of the Georgia depart
ment Of the American Legion; Fed
eral Judge William H Barrett and
Judge Henry c. Hammond, all of
Augusta.
Responses were made by members
of the presidential party, Including
Brig: Gen. Charles E. Sawyer, the
Presidents physician, and Edward b.
Mclean. published Of the Washing
ton Post. The final address of the
evening was made by the President
Preparations for leaving mere were
made today and tonight the presiden-
tial party will begin the journey to
Washington, where the President will
again take up his official duties.