Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1928-11-23
Gov. Smiths Farewell Address.

The following address delivered recently
by Alfred E. Smith. Democratic nominee
for President in the 1928 campaign, to the
electorate of the country over the radio,
shows him to be loyal Democrat, patriot
and christian gentleman:
Now that the dust and smoke of battle
have cleared away, am grateful for the
privilege extended to me by the Demo-
cratic National Committee Of speaking to
millions Of my fellow-citizens and of pre-
senting to them some reflections of the
campaign Just ended
The Democratic party is the oldest politi-
cal organization in the United States. So
well defined are the doctrines and the prin-
cip,eS upon which it is founded that it has
survived defeat after defeat In the sixty
five years that have passed since the Civil
War. only two Presidents we're elected on
the Democratic ticket.
No CRUSHING VICTORY.
No political organization otherwise found
ed would have been able during all these
years to maintain an appeal to the people
that brought to the polls on last election
day fourteen and half millions of voters,
subscribing once more TO its platform and
renewing their relations to the principles
which it has upheld Throughout its long
history.
The verdict OF the American people las,
Teusday was not crushing defeat of the
Democratic party that some of the head
lines In the public press would have US
believe. On the contrary, let US see what
the facts are. Take the popular votes:
A change Of ten per cent. of the total
number Of votes cast would have changed
the popular result. Considering it from
the viewpoint Of our electoral college sys-
TEN, change Of less than 100000 votes
spread around the country would have
altered the result. We have, therefore, the
assurance from the election returns that
the Democratic party is alive, vigorous
and forceful.
NECESSITY Or MINORITY PARTY.
Existence Of such party is necessary
under our system Of Government. The
people rule negatively as well as afirma-
lively. and a vigorous and intelligent
minority is necessary check upon the
tyranny Of the majority. Experience has
always shown. even in our small political
subdivisions, that when the minority party
is weak and hopeless. grave abuses creep
inf ha ar n Oh
administration OF its affairs
Then the majority party believes that
it has everything its ownway. it loses its
fear of Teprisals at the polls for misman-
agement or misconduct Of the Government
A political party is organized to help the
country and net merely to achieve victory.
1t survives not on the basis of the reward
II secures for its followers, but on the
strength and the soundness Of the prin-
ciples for which it stands. A political party
can only just fy its existence in so far as
1t operates for the purpose of promoting
the welfare. the well-beine and the best
interests Of the people.
GREAT In DEFEAT.
The principles for which the Democratic
party stands are as great in defeat as they
would have been in victory. and it is our
duty to carry on and vindicate the principles
for which we fought The Democratic
party today is the great liberal party Of
the nation. ltleads the progressive thought
In all the countries. Ii holds out the only
hope Of return Of the fundamental princi-
Piles on which this country was built and
as a result Of viii il has grown and
thrived
To the young men and women Of the
country, the Democratic party with its fine
traditions. and its breadth Of vision, offers
the inspiration. The Democratic party
would not beir position four years from
now to solicit the confidence and the sup.
port of the American people. If during that
period it neglected to build up construc.
tive program and relied entirely upon the
failure Of the opposition party.
For CONSTRUCTIVE PROGRAM
That cannot be done by the minority
party permitting itself to become part,
Of destruction and opposition for politica
purposes only. We have seen too much o.
that in this country and in many of il,
civic divisions. II has been particular,
noticeable in the State Of New York where
great forward looking constructive meas
ures were delayed for years by partisan
opposition seeking to withhold from tn,
Democratic party credit for their accom-
plishments.
The party responsibility for such Oh
structive tactics has been rebuked by tn,
people at the polls no later than las
Tuesday. Too often the minority has at
tempted to ride into power by takin,
advantage Of the failure of the majorit,
that led into an actually the campaign
promises upon which 1t sought the suffrage
Of the people.
AGAINST MERE OBSTRUCTION.
While it is true that every party mus
adhere to its fundamental principles, OBJ
struction and blockade for the sole purpose
Of embarrassing the party in power ar,
not calculated TO promote the best interest,
of the country. 1t would be regarded &
constructive achievement If the Democratic
party at Washington were to formulate a
program. offered il to the Congress of the
nation and then defended it. and a refusal
on the part Of the party in power to accept
It. or their inability to bring about party
unity for the solution of the problems
would then fix the responsibility and make
a record upon which a successful cam.
paien can be waged four years from now
In other words the Democratic party
would not be acting in good faith with
the people Of the country. nor in good faith
with the millions Of those who rallied to its
support, If ii were to sit by and adopt a
policy Of inaction with hope of pro6tine
solely by the mistake or failure of the op-