Evening star., 1923-08-03
WlEll e.
He Gave Himself to His Country

Warren Gamaliel Harding gave him
self to his country. He gave all of
his strength. his life. He spared him.
self in no degree in devotion to his
task as the Chief Executive and his
life was forfeit in consequence.
1t is of such service that the presi-
dency consists. a cruel task demand
ing the utmost OF the incumbent. To
some men who have held that exalted
post the trials and strains have been
stimulating. To others they have been
exhausting. To a man OF the tenn
perament of Harding they have been
destructive.
Entering the White House with a
record of steadfast devotion TO the best
ideals of American citizenship, en-
dOWed with a nature in the best sense
and the last degree kindly and sin
cere, Warren Harding acknowledged
no bounds 10 the work he should do
or the pains he should take to make
his administration efficient and to all
interests just. He had experience of
public life. He had served his state
in its Legislature and as its second in
command and the nation and his state
jointly as senator. He was well
Nersed in the questions OF moment
and, as a journalist, was disposed to
60 to the roots of all things for the
guidance of his judgment.
No matter was too small to concern
him and no person was too humble
for him to see. Advancement to the
highest office had not widened the dis
tance between him and his fellow
citizens, had not made him less re-
sponsive to their thoughts or less SYM
pathetic with their wbeS. He was still
one of the people. true type of the
American who has won his own way
to success.
Such man could not spare himself,
could not isolate himself for protec-
ton, could not delegate responsibility
for decision. He must see for himself
hear for himself, know for himself
And it was to this characteristic that
Warren Harding finally sacrificed him
self.
1t is impossible in this hour Of be.
reavement to render judgment upon
the man as President other than to
say, that he did his best and that his
best was the result of d high ideal of
the country's needs and opportunities
He had most difficult task-perhaps
the most trying that has ever faced
an American executive since Lincoln.
His was not the work of a commander
in-chief in time of war, but the navi-
gatoN of the ship of state through
the deeply troubled seas of peace i'm
mediately following war His hand
never wavered upon the helm. His
vision was not clouded, his sense of
the true course was keen, his realiza-
ton of the dangers was full.
Warren Harding's accomplishments
In the pitifully short time allowed him
to serve in the office to which he was
calked were of great moment. He had
given the country great and definite
start in the readjustment of its
finances, toward practical economies
following the necessary lavishness of
spending for war purposes. He had
given the world a great and definite
start toward the reduction of the
crushing and war.inviting burdens Of
armament by bringing into successful
and result-making conference the
great powers. He had presented in
strongly appealing manner the duty
of the United States to participate
through the World Court of Interna.
tional Justice in the settlement of dis
rutes between nations, to lessen the
risk of conflict and to advance the
cause of world equity
For these three things alone Warren
Hardings administration will stand as
notable That he accomplished them
in the brief period of his tragically
shortened term, despite all the de-
mands of the practical work of the
Office and the inevitable political dis
fractions that are inherent in our pres.
ent system, is due to his steadfast
persistence along a set course from
which he did not waver.
Now he has passed, suddenly, despite
a short warning of illness from which
he was apparently recovering. with
shocking swiftness. numbing the ma
tion. He leaves a void The people
have lost leader, a friend, servant,
whom they trusted. whom they re-
spected. whom they loved. For her
who sat by his side when he passed,
who had been for many years his
loyal, devoted helpmeet, whose belief
in his, capacity and character and
qualifications for high service was one
of the strongest aids through his
working life, his wife. the sympathies
of all the people go forth and for her
their tears are shed.