Evening star., 1923-08-02

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
ne had sprung into prominence by the
Martel speech, the committee insisted
that Harding be placed on the pro-
A., gram and. with some urging, he was
finally prevailed upon to make a
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
cnthused over the young man that he
rushed up to Harding after he had
completed his talk and exclaimed.
Keep it up. young man, and some of
these days you will be President Of
the United States
Tried to Evade 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 poIiti-
cal history that while he triumphed
over Foraker in very substantial
plurality, vet the heat of the cam
friendship which existed between
Harding and F'orakcr-and which
continued to exist as long as Foraker
lived
In the election he won over his
democratic opponent by more than
1O2. 900 votes.
A rather interesting narrative is
related of Harding. in connection
with his Introduction Of Foraker at
q political rally in 1899 over at Belle
fontaine, Ohio. Harding. as chairman
of the meeting, presented Foraker,
then Governor of Ohio, in very
spirited ten-minute speech. Seated
just in front of the stage and looking
up iutently at Harding was an old
ground in the faith republican of
Scotch-Irish parentage. After the
meeting was over the old chap, grasp
ing Harding by the hand, wrung it
with genuine warmth. eXclaiming.
Young man. If l had your gift of
CAB l wouldn't be so shy about it,"
Was Always a 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, showing himself an
able parliamentarian.
The acquaintance of Roosevelt and
Harding was largely one of perfume
torlness prior to the republican ma
tional convention of 1916. 1t was
after the convention, when Harding,
as chairman of the notification COM
mittee. by reason of having presided
as chairman of the national conyen-
tion. went with his committee to
officially of his nomination for Presi-
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 RooseveIts.
Roosevelt. particularly during the
pre-war period, spent much of his
time il 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 senator's gave him the
opportunity of applying the plumb
| bob and level to the Ohio senator's
statesmanship, with the result that
Roosevelt not only formed a sincere
liking for Harding, but profound
conviction fer his capabilities as a
| leader.
So much was he impressed with
Harding's ability and the respect his
| colleagues entertained for his views
| on public questions that it was Hard
| ing to whom Roosevelt turned for the
drafting and introduction of an amend
ment to the Army reorganization bill