The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1920-08-13
Nh. ROOSEVELT GIVES Us A
SURPRISE.

SURPRISE.
Republicans as well as Democrats
will be pleasantly impressed by the
manner, If not by the matter. Of
Franklin D. RooseveIt's formal speech
in accepting his partyss nomination
for the PRESIDENCY. It is char
acterized. not only by literary grace Of
expression. but by vigor, clearness and
dignity, and, above all, by refresh
ing and remarkable freedom from
the pettiness OF partisan spirit. It is
short enough TO be read by everybody,
and It is the, kind Of speech that will
be remembered by ali who read it.
Whether he will be able to preserve
this high level Of patriotic statesman
ship as bhe campaign grows warmer
we do not know, but his first utter
anee strikes note OF sincerity and
unaffected Americanism that must
make . strong appeal to all except the
most bitterly prejudiced,
Mr.. Roosevelt does not make has
acceptance the occasion for a decla-
ration of wkr on the Republican party
OF of al Indictment on the Repnbllcan
leaders It is singular, among the
party declarations Of the day, for its
political charity and for its simple,
though fervent faith in the American
sense Of right as well as in American
common sense. He is the first Dem
ocratfc leader OF prominence, so far
as we recall, who has had the frank
ness and honesty to concede to his
political opponents an equal share
with his own party in the common
glory and achievements OF the war.
aThe war was won by Republicans as
well as Democrats and "it would.
therefore. not only serve little pur-
pose. but would conform Ill to our
high standards. If any person should
IN the heat Of political rivalry seek to
manufacture political advantage out Of
4 nationally conducted struggle"
Brave words and true. the bravest
and trnest that have yet been said on
either side Mr.. Coolidge's speech
was heralded as better than Mr.. Hard
ing's. Mr.. Rooseyelt's, in the opinion
Of many. surpasses those Of all three
Of the other leading figures in the
campaign. And 1t surpasses them not
only In diction, but in directness and
In an elevation OF tone that carries
with 1t conviction both of the speak
er's sincerity and Americanism. The
highest tribute that could be paid to
1t as expressive Of these qualities
would be to say that stranger to our
politics could scarcely determine
whether the speaker was a Democrat
or Republican. But he would be alb
soluteIy certain that this curious
young man was not a partisan, and
that his principal concern was for his
country and not his party. This first
essay OF young r. Roosevelt strikes
Us as campaign document Of the
first magnitude and as potential
yOte-getter OF great value with the
open-minded.
And to his credit It must be said
that he accomplishes this result with
out ambiguity or the sacrifice Of COM
mon sense to mushiness. He believes
with all his heart and mind and soul
In league Of nations not merely on
idealistic- grounds. but as business
and financial proposition essential to
our national welfare and progress
He does not regard the League cove
nant as perfect, any more than our
own original Constitution, which has
been amended eighteen times, was
perfect. But it is sound at heart and
IN purpose. and neither we nor the
world can get along safely without it,
IN his Judgment.
Mr.. Roosevelt's speech will dis
please every hidebound and profess
sional politician in the country. But
It is mighty apt to please the plain,
nonpartisan people and to set them
busily to thinking. The Sun.