Tuesday, September 21, 1920

At noon, Harding meets the Republican chairs of Indiana's 12th district, who share the following account: "Was Senator Harding busy? Yes, he certainly was, but he possesses an assurance and calmness of manner that is surprising. He has time enough to meet everyone and treat them with the utmost consideration. Tuesday he met United States senators, only next to be called on by farmers passing in their flivvers, and probably next in line would come a half dozen working men of his home town, then the governor of an important state, then some state party leaders, then some brother Elks, then some Lincoln highway transcontinental tourists, for the national thoroughfare passes his door - well, he showed the same consideration for everyone and not a person leaving but would say, 'Senator Harding is a 'mighty fine fellow' or 'words to that effect,' as the saying goes..."

Senator Harding holds two afternoon events today. He delivers a speech to the Loyal Order of Golden Hearts of the World, a fraternal organization whose members have traveled by automobile from Columbus:

Ladies and Gentlemen: It is a very gratifying thing to have your call. I like the suggestion that Mr. Mannington has made, that you are a fraternal organization given to patriotic devotions. You know the world has found itself lately very much committed to the ideas of fraternity. It is the natural outcome of a new understanding of our relationships. Fraternity is one of the most natural things in life. You have seen it in the organization of men into small groups, of women in their societies. You often see it in the animal life, where Nature has somehow implanted in them love of life and at the same time the love of fraternity and association together, and if you stop to think about it you will discover that in animal life there is the fraternity of protection and mutual advancement. This finds expression in our human relationships in various forms. I do not suppose there is a people in all the world that has so developed the fraternity idea as we have in the United States. I have sometimes wondered how many fraternal orders there are, some secret, some open.

The second event features Lillian Russell, who is introduced by Harding as "one of the eminent women of America, long distinguished for her notable, successful and highly honorable career on the American stage, who in her present life has thought fit to refrain from professional pursuits in order to render a great service to American womanhood." Russell's speech is intended for the women voters in the crowd: "I remember my mother often said, 'Dear women friends, never deplore the manner in which the men have governed the country. Give them all the credit that is due them. Never aspire to be president, never aspire to be a senator or even a representative, but do aspire to have the vote in order that you may help your men, the men of your family, your husband, son.'"

Sources:

• "Chairmen to See Harding." Fort Wayne Sentinel. 20 September 1920.
• "Lillian Russell Shares the Front Porch with Senator Harding Late Tuesday Afternoon." Marion Star. 22 September 1920.
• "Republic Chairmen of Twelfth District Spend Day with Senator Harding at Marion." Fort Wayne Sentinel. 25 September 1920.