Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-08-09
SERVICES IN CAPITOL

Washington, Aug. Shy A. Pr
Warren Harding left Washington
tonight. forever. His short, eventful
moment of power and heavy care was
ended; his eternity of rest begun.
Yesteryear, the flooding tide of
destiny bore him eastward to take
up the challenge of leadership the
millions of his countrymen had
thrown to him. Today, that tide
ebbed westward again under the set
ting sun. The singing rails bore him
back to the quiet town in Ohio
whence he came.
Grim voiced, distant guns spoke
the nations farewell as the funeral
train drew out. A legion Of armed
men stood with rifles and sabres at
salute. Great folk and small. in their
thousands. stood silent and with
heads barred in the fading light of
evening. and the dead president was
gone.
But behind him, there, in the halls
of the senate where long he moved in
his 'happiest hours in the capitol, or
again, here, in the bleak, lonely
rooms of the deserted White House
where were passed the heavy days
and nights Of care that brought him
to his untimely death, fingered brave
memories such as he would be proud
tonight to know filled mems minds
as they though tot him.
There were memories of Harding.
the president: memories that dealt
with his devotion to duty, his 10y
atty to those who worked with him.
his patient. just use of his great
power. his high courage in office. his
utter love of country. But there were
other memories of Harding. the man;
Harding. the kindly, thoughtful,
Joyous comrade, the friend of all who
offered friendship worthily. Harding
of the great heart and modest, SIM
pie ways no pride of place could
change.
And these were the memories
treasured closest tonight in the sor-
rowing hearts in Washington.
Harding has gone from Washing
ton, splendidly, fittingly gone as went
the day that for him had brimmed
with honors as brimmed the cup OF
life, heady with its draft of great
ness scarce tasted at his lips, when
death so ruthlessly struck it aside.
Gone from the place and the COM
radcs of his greatness: gone with the
loving care of a brave woman to
Shelter him on his last journey.
For in this whole day of pomp and
circumstance that men have made TO
surround the great. there was moth
ing more touching than the daunt-
less courage with which Mrs. Hard
ing carried through the public ordeal.
AS her black Eowned figure passed
out of the crowded stone circle where
the funeral rites were held, every
glance was for her. every sympathy.
There was admira ton that brought
the clutch of chocked-b back sobs 10
many a throat at the brave. simple
dignity of her carriage that still
could not hide the depths of her woe.
There were eyes turned misty then
that had shed no tear before.
For it ran in mems mind that this
brave little woman had waited long
to be alone with her dead, had even,
because of the greatness of his place,
found courage to loan him here TO
the nation whose service had de-
manded his life that he might he
rendered the hOnors men would do
him. Even she had crushed back
her tears and come thus to pray in
public over the bier when her heart
CRED out 10 ne dIoHe Win heI ueou
and for the surcease of unchecked
tears and the intimate things of
sorrow.
But 1t could not be. Dead, the
nation claimed him as living 1t
swept him TO his high office. And
there was no mark of honor denied
through the long hours that the
pages of history could recall for his
acclaim.
He was carried from the White
House. which had sheltered his
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