Evening star., 1932-07-02
The Democrats Pick Their Man.

The traditions OF reward Tor meNl-
torious service in the ranks and in the
leadership of his party have from the
first made Franklin D. Roosevelt the
logical choice of the Democrats as the
man to carry their standard in the
Forthcoming campaign. Coupled with
his distinction as citizen and as a
Democrat. there is the obvious fact in
addition that his friends have con-
Quoted in his behalf the only Nation
wide pre-conyention fight for the nomi-
nation waged with any success by any
of the other candidates. and his VIC
tory at Chicago, after all, amounted to
the Endorsement by the convention Of
the approval that already had been
written on his candidacy by majority
of the States.
That the Endorsement failed to win
unanimous approval and that the Gus
tomary gesture of making it formally
unanimous was lacking, is significant
Of an opposition that, in the face OF
conditions normally would be construed
as making the nomination inevitable,
did succeed in injecting real doubt
as to the outcome-doubt that did not
fade until the spectacular leap to the
band wagon signaled by the altogether
friendly capitulation of the McAdoo-
Garner forces. That opposition mas
been more than the usual sort OF OPP
position founded on the hopes for ia
yorite sons, and its roots were spread
ing and growing before the name OF
this second Roosevelt was mentioned as
the man whose leadership now VIII
largely determine the part that bitter
ness and antagonism will play In the
Democratic party of the future.
The Democrats have chosen Roosevelt
not because of his name, although there
is magic of sort in a great name
net because of personal characteristics,
although these have endeared him to
thousands of steadfast friends in all
parts of the country; not because OF his
record as Governor of great State IN
meeting the complex issues OF unem-
ployment. distress and industrial de-
preston, though his record in such mat
ters has given him extraordinary prom
inence among all the Governors OF all
the States; not because of his attitude
toward Tammany Hall. although his
rise to political fame and fortune has
been coupled with fight against Tam
many leaders, If not against the institu-
ton itself; not because of his stand on
tariff, water power, prohibition and
other issues that brings his views into
accord with those predominating in his
party. The nomination of Roosevelt
was dictated by the belief of his party
that of all those distinguished men
from amone whom the choice at Chi
cago might have been made ne stood
head and shoulders above them as the
man n ost likely to unite the warning fac
tons into that unity necessary for the
party that enters the fray with any
real expectancy of ultimate victory.
The Democrats have selected man
who can stand squarely on the party
platform written for him. From
that platform now he will meet the
real test of leadership. His critics
have attacked him mainly on the
ground that in crisis he is vacillat-
ing and uncertain. Beginning today at
Chicago, and for the next four months,
he must answer that criticism, and until
November the people will suspend iudg-
ment as TO whether his party or his
critics have been fooled.