The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1920-02-12
HERBERT HOOVER
NOT A CANDIDATE
Has No Party Allegiance-Will Vote
For Organization Standing
For League

J An Associated Press dispatch from
New York says:
Herbert Hoover issued statement
defining his attitude toward the presi-
dency. He announced that he is not
a candidate for the nomination, and
that no one is authorized to speak for
him politically: If the League Of Ma
tions is made an issue in the election,
he says, he will vote for the party
that stands for the league. In re-
sponse to requests that he declare al
legiance 10 either one or the other of
the great political parties, Mr.. Hoov-
er says he will wait until it more de-
finitely appears what the party man
ayers stand for, and will exercise a
prerogative of American citizenship
and decline to pledge my vote blind
fold"
His statement follows: "In order to
answer a large number of questions
all at once, let me emphasize that
have taken day off from the in
dustrial conference in Washington to
come to New York solely to attend to
pressing matters in connection with
the children's relief. l want to say
again: I have not sought and am not
seeking the presidency. am not a
candidate. have no organization. No
one is authorized to speak for me
politically.
GAS an American citizen by birth
and of long ancestry, I am naturally
deeply interested in the present criti-
cal situation. My sincere and only
political desire is that one or both Of
the great political parties will ap-
proach the vital issues which have
grown out of the war and are new,
with clear purpose looking to the
welfare of our people, and that can
didates capable of carrying out this
work should be nominated.
If the treaty goes over to the
presidential election with any reser-
vations necessary to clarity the
worlds mind that there can be no in
fringement of the safeguards provid-
ed by our Constitution and our nation
old tradition), then I must vote for
the party that stands for the league.
With it there is hope not only OF the
prevention of war, but also that we
can safely economize in military poll
cies. There is hope of earlier return
of confidence and the economic recon-
struction of the world.
81 could not vote with a party if it
were dominated by groups who seek
to set aside our constitutional guar
antees for free speech or free repre-
sentation, who hope to re-establish
control of the government for sprofit
and privilege. I could not vote with
party if it were dominated by groups
who hope for any form of socialism,
whether it be naturalization Of in
dustry or other destruction Of indi-
vidual initiative. Both these extremes,
camoufaged or open, are active
enough in the country today. Neither
of these Nominations would enable
those constructive economic policies
that will get US down from the un-
sound economic practices which OF
necessity grew out of the war, nor
would they secure the good will to
production in our farmers and work.
ers, or maintain the initiative of our
business men. The issues look for
ward, not back.
81 do not believe in more than two
great parties. Otherwise combinations
of groups could, as in Europe, create
danger of minority rule. do believe
in party organization to support great
ideals and to carry great issues and
consistent policies: Nor can any one
man dictate the issues of great par
ties. 1t appears to me that the hope
of great majority of our citizens in
confronting this new period in Ameri-
can life is that the great parties will
take positive stands on the many is
sues that confront us and will select
men whose character and associations
will guarantee their pledges.
; {" am being urged by people in
both parties to declare my allegiance
to either one or the other. Those who
know me know that lam able to make
up my mind when a subject is clearly
defined. Consequently, until it more
definitely appears what the party
managers stand for, l must exercise
a prerogative of American citizenship
b. h1srI