Warren G. Harding speech to the Home Market Club

In this May 14, 1920, speech to the Home Market Club in Boston, Senator Warren G. Harding discusses his sentiments on how America can best recover from the financial and economic strain caused by the United States' participation in World War I. Harding believes America needs healing, restoration, and normalcy, and provides ways to achieve this, emphasizing that America needs to be steadied and stabilized. Commenting on some of the issues facing Americans, like reduced wages, increased cost of living, and decreased American production, Harding offers approaches he believes will restore the American people. This document is part of the Warren G. Harding Papers (MSS 345). This collection includes correspondence, business records, and other materials documenting Harding’s business career as owner and editor-in-chief of The Daily Marion Star, as well as the various stages of his political career. A significant portion of the collection, and what’s available on Ohio Memory, highlights his 1920 presidential campaign, spanning just before publicly announcing his candidacy to handily defeating Ohio Governor James M. Cox in the election. Correspondents include both Ohio and national businessmen, political figures, and ordinary citizens writing with questions, support, congratulatory notes, and campaign advice. Some of the most interesting insights into the tumultuous political climate in the U.S., the extreme factionalism within the Republican Party in Ohio, and Harding’s campaign strategies are described in letters between Harding and his campaign manager, Harry M. Daugherty. Some of the topics addressed include women’s suffrage, Prohibition, the League of Nations, African American representation and issues, and lingering peace negotiations following World War I