Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-09-06
GOVERNOR OF
TENNESSEE IS
FOR AL smith
Patterson Tells Why
He Is Supporting
Democratic Nominee
In President Race

4or president OF the united StateSs
] have received several requests to
republish an article which appeared in
this paper a few days before Cover
nor Smiths speech Of acceptance OF
the democratic nomination for pres
ident. In this ! gave some reasons
for supporting Governor Smith as the
nominee Of the party. The article
follows:
Frequently in the form of either
q letter addressed TO me or in pri-
vate conversation / am asked to
state in this column why | am for
Governor Smith for president.
II will answer and number the
chief reason seriatim.
II. Because Governor Smith is a
democrat. He has always affiliated
with the party to which ! belong, and
unless for some overwhelming cause
to the contrary he rs entitled to my
support.
-. He received his nomination az
Houston fairly and without ever che
suggestion Of fraud. Governor Smith
was named a. the democratic candi-
date for president by the practically
unanimous votes Of the delegates at
tending the democratic convention
and who were there representing the
democratic party. Unless therefore !
intend to no longer be bound as a
member of that party, but desire its
disintegration, I should vote against
its accredited nominee. Otherwise ]
should support him.
"As I do not SO intend or wish the
democratic party broken up into fac
tions and powerless Of accomplish
ment, / will support its candidate for
president.
%. Governor Smith in my opinion
is a clean, honest and capable man.
He has had an experience as a most
successful and popular governor of
New York that will admirably fit him
for the duties Of president Of the
United States should he be elected.
In capacity and integrity l think Gov
ernor Smith the full equal Of his re-
publican opponent, and that in his
knowledge of men and the springs of
human conduct, / regard him as Mr..
Hoover's superior. In the equipment
Of an executive and especially Of a
president Of the United States, an
ability to select high-class and eff
ttEUk mEH ~ NAAtl oH bnG n@Aton 2
work is a quality Of prime import
ance. Governor Smith has exhibited
this quality in a rare degree in max
ing his appointments in New York
state. and there is every assurance
that he would continue 10 do so if
called on 20 preside over the country.
"a. Governor Smith is direct and
unmistakable in his opinions upon
such public questions as have come 10
his notice.
"Whether one agrees with him or
not, he does not evade or equivo-
cate in the expression Of his views.
He is straightforward in all he says
and does.
IS. As a southern man, I will sup
port Governor Smith because | think
he has more sympathy for and under
standing Of the South than Mr.
Hoover.
Running on the ticket with the
democratic candidate for president Is
Senator Robinson. who is one Of the
South's ablest men and who is the
only one living in this section who
has been named as a candidate for
either president or vice president
since Andrew Johnson wa nominated
with Lincoln in 1864. For years !
have felt that the political ostracism
Of the South from the highest elective
offices was n wrong without any jus
tifiable reason. / have hoped that
the day Of her servility would end and
q start would be made to restore her
to an equal participation in national
honSrs and affairs.
"The friends Of Governor Smith in
the Houston convention and as l I'M
derstand with his full appreciation,
have made IL possible for the South
to make n start in resuming her old
position by nominating a southerner
for vice president and thereby break
ing down an ancient and oppressive
precedent which the South, acting
alone could not have accomplished. OF
itself, this should be a reason for
southern democrats to support Cover
nor Smith and give him the electoral
vote Of every southern state.
II recognize the right Of every
citizen 70 think and vote as he deems
best and TO have his vote counted as
cast. These rights are fundamental
in free government and should never
be denied or even questioned. In this
column / have seen fit TO. criticize
som things about Governor Smith
and may do SO again. For instance,
some OF his grammatical errors in in
terviews reported by the Associated
Press have not pleased me. | thought
also he was at one time talking too
much and not exhibiting the proper
dignity as a presidential candidate.
His position on the liquor question. If
he has been correctly quoted, has not
met my approval, but in none Of these
objections do / find any overwhelm-
inR reason to leave my own party
with all IL has meant TO me and the
people with whom l have lived and
expect 10 die, and vote for the repub-
lican candidate. I am reminded, too,
that President Wilson expressed the
same view in his veto Of the Nolstead
law that Governor Smith now enter
tairs. but no democrat left the party
on that account or refused 70 support
Mr.. Wilson.
/. "There II nothing In the republican
record and especially as IL bears upon
the South and its problems that
would Justify me in now abandoning
the party OF my fathers which has
held together the civilization Of the
South during ali the years Of recon-
struction and has battled ever since
for its preservation.
Il can not find II in my heart
"a transfer my allegiance to the
pnrty represented by Mr.. Hoover,
who would have put the infamous
sForce bill" on the southern states
ana forget and forswesr my loyal
~ 70 the party that saved Us fro !
the unspeakable outrage Of federal
bavonets at our ballot boxes.
aAs to prohibition. the question is
one Of extreme difficulty. calling
far the best thought Of all the peo-
A. irrespective Of politics. W. have
fhe law but we have not what the
laws stands for which j. the elm
i~nntion Of strong drink. We have
re name. not the thing.