The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-09-07
THE DAVIS PERSONALITY

applaud the determination of Mr. John w. Davis to avoid personalities and to adhere strictly to issues in this cam paign. It i'll becomes any candidate for such high office to criticize or revile any opponent. He may properly criti- cize the issues for which an opponent stands, and he may properly hold up to public view the record of the opposing party. But all this may be achieved on the lofty plane of argument and logic. To descend to personalities is to sacrifice corresponding portion of the. public respect which is the most precious asset any candidate for high office may enjoy. Let the candidates speak for their prin- ciples, and their personalities will speak for themselves.
 But the people cannot afford to dis regard personalities. .On the contrary, personality is one of the foremost fac tors in bringing popular support to any candidate. There was a personality about the "front-porch" campaign that was appealing, and which resounded throughout the country more thunder ously than any tour of speaking could have done at that time. But there is no such appeal about shrinking from con- tact with the public nor about silence that is a silence not of cordiality but of aloofness. The people desire to have no enigmatic person at the head of their government. They desire to become ac- quainted with the man who is to guide the national destiny for the next four years. They want to know what he thinks about the various public ques- tions, and especially do they desire to be persuaded of his wide human sympathy and understanding of the daily problems of life as we'll as of government.
 But a president must not be merely a "hail, fellow, well met" That is a endowment for the presi- dency; for the successful discharge of the functions of that high office de- mands qualities of experience, train ing, intelligence and capacity that may be possessed entirely apart from any gift of affability. The people, however, can come to know man only through what he says and does. Therefore, while many a man capitally equipped for im- portant office goes unnoted because of his inability to make popular appeal, many a man of far less deserts is ele- vated to office because he is able to make people like him. Fortunately, the nation is so great and the impossibility of personal contact with all the people so pronounced that no man can achieve the presidency of this republic unless he possesses worth in addition to the quail ties of personal appeal.
 There is reason to believe that the people of this country, when they in- evitably proceed, consciously or uncon- to the comparison of contend ing personalities in this campaign, will find thst of John w. Davis exceptional and of irresistible appeal. MT. Davis not only possesses that affability and frank LACoo WAASh dO OiNC AhNAAAAO PCOPAC " NV lieve in his humanness and sincerity, but he is gifted with natural qualities of intelligence, independence of thought and breadth of view, and is fur ther endowed with the advantages of exceptional early home training, unusual education, an incomparable experience at home and abroad, and the liberal views that can come only by wide read ing, wide travel and deep thought. And even all these attributes in their high est degrees cannot reside in any man unless he be gifted with an heritage of health, vigor and mentality in which they develop. MT. Davis is thus gifted, and the people, as result of his daily contacts through the medium of direct address and of the press, are coming to know it.
 MT. Davis does right to avoid person. alities and to adhere to discussion of our public questions; in a word, to be himself. But the people will not dis miss personalities. The people will vote on personalities; they will vote for the man whom they feel they know the best and the most favorably. MT. Davis is going out among all the peo- pie, and, while making no great forensic display, is discussing with them their problems in an intimate and understand ing manner. He is rapidly convincing the people, without obvious efforts to do so, that he intends to be president of the entire people without distinctions of class, group or section. There is possible justice and fairness to all. It is MT. Davis's hope and purpose to achieve that justice and fairness as far as it is within the power of president to do so. The people are rapidly coming to believe that he can come nearer doing that than any other candidate now before them.
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