Evening star., 1923-08-03

was arranged for at Scottown Grove.
located in the northern part Of the
county. and well known as an as
sembling place for speeches and fam
lily reunions. To this very grove. in
later days. came Mckinley and others
of state and national reputation. Since
he had sprung into prominence by the
Martel speech, the committee insisted
that Harding be placed on the pro-
gram and. with some urging. he was
finally prevailed upon to make
speech. Harding was introduced, and.
after losing his shyness at the size
of the crowd, launched into his speech
with a fire that surprised his hearers.
One old Lincoln republican became so
enthused over the young man that he
rushed up to Harding after he had
completed his talk and exclaimed.
Keep il up. young man, and some of
these days you will be President OF
the United States"
Tried to Evnde Nomination.
SO reluctant was Harding TO be-
come a candidate for the Senate that
he took occasion to absent himself
from the state two months. He went
to Texas. where. as the guest of a
former Marion friend, he was taken
on camping and hunting expedition.
But the opportunities followed him
south and persisted after his return
until his consent was finally secured; +;
not. however. until he had gone to
Cincinnati and acquainted Foraker
with his intentions.
1t is a matter of interesting politi-
cal history that while he triumphed
plurality. yet the heat of the cam
paign in no way marred the splendid
friendship which existed between
Harding and Foraker-and which
continued to exist as long as Foraker
lived.
In the election he won over his
democratic opponent by more than
l02, 900 votes
A rather interesting narrative is
related of Harding in connection
with his introduction. Of Foraker at
a political rally in 1899 over at Belle
| fontaine. Ohio. Harding. as chairman
of the meeting. presented Foraker.
then Governor of Ohio. in very
just in front of the stage and looking
up intently at Harding was an old
ground in -the-faith republican of
Scotch-Irish parentage. After the
ing Harding by the hand. wrung it
with genuine warmth. exclaiming
young man. il 1 had your gift Of
CAB / wouldn't be so shy about it,"
wns Always n Republican.
One boast that President Harding
made is that he was always a re-
publican. 1t was he who presented
the name of President Taft for re-
nomination at the Chicago convention
in 1912-the most turbulent conven-
tion in the annals of republicanism
Four years later he was chosen chair
man of the republican national con-
vention and delivered the keynote ad-
dress. ne presided over the conven-
tion with poise. sho wing himself an
able parliamentarian.
The acquaintance of Roosevelt and
Harding was largely one of perfume
toriness prior TO the republican ma
tional convention of 1916. 1t was
as chairman Of the notification COM
mittee, by reason of having presided
as chairman Of the national conven-
tion, went with his committee to
New York to notify Justice Hughes
dent. that Roosevelt and Harding
really became acquainted. While they
met occasionally during the campaign.
yet it was not until after the election.
resulting in Hughes defeat, that the
closer intimacy arose.
Friend of Roosevelt's.
Roosevelt. particularly during the
pTe-"dk pciloob opChl Oh MS
time i, Washington, during which
he was present at many meetings
called for the purpose Of discussing
the kind of policy that should be
pursued by the republican members
of the new Congress. Thus meeting
the republican senators gave him the
opportunity of applying the plumb
bob and level to the Ohio senator's
Craftsmanship. with the result that
Roosevelt not only formed a sincere
liking for Harding, but a profound
leader.
So much was he impressed with
Harding's ability and the respect his
colleagues entertained for his views
on public questions that 1t was Hard
ing to whom Roosevelt turned for the
drafting and Introduction of an amend
ment to the Army reorganization bill.
which measure provided for selective