Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1924-02-27
PAY HARDING
TRIBUTE TODAY
Hughes Says He Belonged to
Aristocracy of Plain People
of the Country

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27.-Warren
Gamaliel Harding belonged to the
aristocracy of the plain people of
this country" Secretary Hughes said
today in delivering the eulogy of the
late President at the joint session
of the senate and House, which
formed the official memorial exer-
cises for President Harding.
"He was equipped for his task by
inheritance and training which were
completely and typically American,
Mr.. Hughes said. He was neither
helped nor hampered by exceptional
environment. He suffered neither
from poverty nor riches. His en-
vironment was a keen mind and
strong body.
alert to opportunity, self-reliant,
facile and warm hearted, he made
his own way, owing his success to
his tireless persistence and his un-
quenchable ardor. in living"
Mr.. Hughes said it was fitting that
official tribute should be paid TO the
memory of President, but that the
significance of the gathering today
was far deeper than that.
1T is tribute Inspired by love
of country, as laying aside the diff
feTences and controversies which
seem but trivial in the face of man 8
adventures and Gods providence,
we stand united in the indissoluble
bonds of a common patriotism,
knowing we'll that uhgrateful repub-
lies connot endure" he added The
temples of democracy will be but
as vain vestige of vanished faith IT
their altar fires are not kept burn
ing by the memory of those who
have met the supreme test and have
laid down their lives in heroic fl
deity and self-sacrifice.
A close personal touch marked
that portion of Mr.. Hughes address,
which expressed the estimate of the
dead Presidents character which
could be formed onl-- through asso-
citation in his cabinet.
above all" the speaker said. I'VE
give the tribute of deep affection
which moves to speak in tender re-
membrance of generous and kind
ly spirit who counted human fellow
ship more precious than all the
pomp and circumstance of power"
In speaking of the days in San
Francisco after President Harding
had been stricken and of the swift
ness of the tragedy Mr.. Hughes said:
mot long before, in intimate con-
verse, when informed of the gravity
of his condition and of the proba-
bility that if rescued from the imme-
diate peril he would still be con-
demned to a life of invalidism and
the exercise of a constant care which
would preclude the resumption of
the route of his labors, he had ex-
claimed well, if that is SO, this story
might as well come to an end
'.That was true. Mr.. Hughes con-
tinued. 1.-The only life he desired,
that of energy and usefulness, he
could no longer hope to enjoy. Pain
lessly, without warning, and in
moment of apparanet refreshment.
there was a slight movement and he
was gone. The cares of his steward
ship were lifted and he was at rest
in Gods peace"
Secretary Hughes told of the entry
of Mr.. Harding into journalism with
the purchase of the Marion Star.
commenting that the journalist ca
reer constituted valuable training for
public office because it demanded
careful observation.
Coming to the calling of the Wash
ington conference for the limitation
of armament. Secretary Hughes
quoted from the addresses OF Presi-
dent Harding TO show that his aspi-
ration had long been declared,
1.-THE distinctive feature of the
Washington conference was the defl-
mite and limited character of its
aim" Mr.. Hughes continued. "As
the President said. it did not seek
ITO re-make humankind
| 1T did not waste its time in fu-
tilities: 1t. sought results. not the
vanities of reiterated professions
without accomplishment. There
will always be problems in the Far
East. but it is not too much to say
that the Pacific and Far Eastern
questions. as they existed at the time
OF the conference with their menace
to the peace of the world. are no
more"
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