HARDING SAYS AMERICA WILL NEVER FAIL HER DUTY TO CIVILIZATION
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On Memorial Day, May 30, 1921, President Warren G. Harding, speaking at the Arlington Cemetery amphitheater, "pledged to the living and the dead that America would never fail in her duty to civilization."
The President said...
"Our country has never failed to measure up to the demands presented to it in behalf of humanity and it never will."
But Mr. Harding added...
"Our first duty is to our own."
The President was accompanied by British ambassador Sir Aukland Geddes* who placed a wreath of roses on the flag beside the President in behalf of the people of the United Kingdom.
*Aukland Campbell Geddes (1879-1954) was born in London & educated at George Watson's College & Edinburgh University, MB 1903, MD 1908. ACG served in the 2nd Bower War & in WWI on staff of General HQ in France. He was a member of David Lloyd George's coalition government & British Ambassador to U.S. 1920-1924.
SOURCE
"U.S., True to Own Ideals, Will Fail in its Duty to None, Harding Declares," New York Tribune, May 31, 1921, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
