New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1928-11-14
Smith SAYS WORK
MUST GO ONWARD
Urges Democrats to Keep Fight.
ing and Building Up

New York, Nov. ~ (uP)-Just
before stepping from the political
arena in which he has played SO
conspicuous part, Gov. Alfred f.
Smith delivered a Message to the
American People" last night, calling
upon the democratic party to carry
on" The address was broadcast over
a nationwide hookup OF radio sta
lions.
He urged the party to look for
ward and plan a constructive pro-
gram of accomplishment which
would constitute firm foundation
for the 1882 presidential campaign.
Complete cooperation with Presi-
dent-elect Hoover would be the duty
of every member of the democratic
party. he said, pointing out that way
would be the way of all good cltl-
zens. Hoover is now the leader of
the nation, not just of the republi-
can party. and he is entitled to fair
chance to plan and carry out a ma
tional program. Smith said.
Party Not Crushed
His own defeat, he said, in no
way indicated that the democratic
party lay crushed and broken. On
the contrary 1t was alive and vigor-
Gus and now stood in position
more successfully than ever to So
licit the confidence and support of
the American people, Governor
Smith said
Though the radio speech was in
sense. the final word of the nom
inee to his party. Smith declared
that he wah as intensely interested
as ever in the principles of the DEM
cratic party and that he not only
would stand for them but battle for
them" He had previously announc-
cd, however. that he would never
again would be candidate fer pub
lie office.
Touching upon the bitterness
aroused in the campaign which just
closed, he urged that it all should
be swept aside and forgotten and the
people set their faces with common
enthusiasm to the nations welfare.
"A political party must also be
accountable to the people of the
United States for the management
of its internal affairs" he said. land
no political party can afford to ac-
cept the support of forces for which
it refuses to accept responsibility"
at will not do TO let bitterness,
rancor. or indignation over the re-
suit blind us to the one outstanding
fact. that above everything else, we
are Americans"
Smith stressed the demand Of an
active minority in the country un-
der the American political system as
it stands.
1.-THE democratic party certainly
would not be in position four
years from now to solicit the con-
fdence and support of the American
people il during that period it neg
lected to build up a constructive
program and relied entirely upon
the failure of the opposition party.
he said. This cannot be done by the
minority party permitting itself to
become party Of obstruction ana
opposition for political purposes
only.
Formulate Program
at would be regarded as q con-
structive achievement If the demo-
cratic party at Washington were TO
formulate program. adopt it. offer
it to the congress of the United
States, and there defend 1t. A re-
fusal on the part of the party IN
mower to accept it or their inabil-
ity to bring about party unity Tor
the solution of these problems would
then fix the responsibility and make
n record On which a successful cam
paign can be waged four years from
now"
Pointing to his tremendous popu-
lar vote, Smith told his audience
both radio and the zoo friends ana
relatives gathered to hear him IN
the WEAF studio-that such a pol
lev must be adopted if the party
wished to keep faith with the mil
lions who voted for him Nov b.
.sThe verdict of the American
people last Tuesday was not the
crushing defeat Of the democratic
marty that some of the headlines OF
the public press would have us pc
lieve," Governor Smith declared.
ION the contrary, let us see what
the facts are. Take the popular vote
"a change of 10 per cent OF the 10
tai number of votes cast would nave
changed the popular result. Cohs'o-
ering it from the viewpoint OF our
college system, chanee Oh
less than 100000 votes, spredu
around the country. would have al
tered the result
We have, therefore, the assurance
from the euection returns that the
democratic party is a live, vlgor-
ous and a forceful jor minority
party.
THE existence Of such party is
necessary under our system OF gov
eminent. The people rule negatively
as we'll as affirmatively and a Wig
orous and intelligent minority is a
necessary check upon the tyranny of
the ma iority."
Abuses Creep In
Experience has always shown
even in our smaller political subdi-
visions that when the minority party