Carolina watchman. [volume] (Salisbury, N.C.) 1871-1937, 1932-08-05
AN APPRAISEMENT OF ROOSEVELT

A Republican writing in The New York Times,
give seven reasons why he will support Franklin D.
Roosevelt. The reasons comprise an excellent appralse-
ment of the Democratic nominee, offering ample evil
dence of the nominees fitness for the place and ex-
celent reasons why every Democrat should get behind
the ticket and why many Republicans will do the
same. The writer said:
l am one of tens of thousand. of Republicans who,
putting country above party, principle above policy
and present needs above past accomplishments will
vote for franklin D. Roosevelt. May l, therefore, set
forth seven reasons why for the first time in my life
l intend to vote for a Democrat7
First reason: / have given the Republican party
the orchard test C"By their fruits ye shall know
them!"), and SO tested I find that for many years past
it has failed to serve the ends of practical and just
government. | find that it relies too much upon past
performances; exhau1ts its efforts in conserving the
exceptional privileges of the fortunate classes; fails to
face bravely the new conditions of the life of today;
takes for granted the existence of a natural law gov
erning human affairs which will automatically RENE
dy depressions and panic.s and is generally out of step
in the march of current events.
Second rea-on: Great revolutions reforms and pol
''~"A AS"H> "A""Jo SSA$SA oAooAo " iva SAoOaho-
ity. The American Revolution centered itself in the
personality of George Washington; Abraham Lincoln
was the personification of the aboltionist movement,
and the same may be said of Grover Cleveland regard.
ing civil service reform. l am going to vote for Fran
kiln D.. Roosevelt because he seems to be a vibrant and
vivid American, whose gra b of present-day problems
and sincerity of character are needed in the several
crises of the hour.
Third reason: We need an astute politician in the
White House. No really great statesman needs to be
ashamed of being alb a politician. The political abb
lily displayed by Candidate Roosevelt during the re-
cent Democratic National Convention would have
delighted Talleyrand, and yet it was untainted by
doubledealing or chicanery. He had the provocation
and the opportunity to stir UP strife, but, like the sea
god in the Aden:ed, he chose to pacify.
Fourth reason: Governor Roosevelt is right on the
prohibition question. All decent citizens are opposed
on principle to the evils of strong drink; but there is
a loyalty to principle which amounts to d sloyafty to
more foundational principles. If prohibitions could be
enforced it would be more than a noble experiment.
but painful experience has shown it to be u~nenforce-
able: We cannot in a republic afford to have a law
which cannot be enforced
Fifth reason: franklin D. Roosevelt is a statesman
of clear lion and definite purposes. This republic is
in the throes of the worst economic depression in its
history, and it cannot be restored to a nbrmal level by
political %astigmatism or shortsghtedness. Mr.. Roose-
welt does not suffer from hallucination4
Sixth; A man can often be judged by his enemies
as well as by his friends, and the character of Cover
nor Roosevelt has never shone so respendently as when
he was recently the target of envy and jealously born
of disappointment.
Seventh: l shall vote for Franklin D. Roosevelt be-
cause it is my view that the present industrial depres-
sion has bred a political discomfort which must be met
succe tfully if this republic is to survive. I do not hold