Evening star., 1932-07-15
Smith Support of His Party
Viewed as Influential Move

To many Americans, as shown by
public comments, the statement by
former Gov Alfred E. Smith that he
will support the Democratic party in
the present campaign is in harmony
with the record Of the man. His in
fluence is recognized and it is believed
that many members Of the party will
continue to follow his leadership. Some
profess to believe that he will appear
on the stump eventually.
THE most human among all Ameri-
can statesmen shows that he is also a
sportsman in defeat" says the Phila-
delphia Record CDemocratic), with the
advice that his followers should follow
their chief" The Columbia IS. c.
State Democratic) holds that so far as
the technical regularity of New York's
former Governor is concerned. there has
really been no haze in the atmosphere
to obscure the vision Of those under
standing the situation" The Omaha
World Herald independent Democratic)
declares that he lis too big man and
too thoroughly a Democrat to permit
personal differences to influence him
against what he regards as his duty to
his party and his country" That paper
concludes: The battle cry that Smith
has sounded is a call to rally to the
colors."
He will bring whole -heartedly into
line also" according to the Scranton
Times tDemocratic), IAN army of de
voted followers, who, while disappointed
that he was not the conventions choice,
will join him in supporting the man
who won the honor" The Birmingham
"Mr. Smith has pointed out the path
which we'll balanced Americans who
may not be altogether pleased with the
outcome Of the Democratic convention
must take if they are not to be petty,
giving up to personal chagrin what be-
longs to the Nation" The Youngstown
Vindicator independent Democratic)
remarks that the country will admire
him the more for his decision" and
that ''he Is too big man and too use
full a statesman to be spared from po-
litical life" The Vindicator feels that
there is a place "for a man OF his ma
tional outlook and influence in the
United States Senate"
Referring to his statement after the
convention, the Roanoke World-News
(Democratic) asserts that "he is the last
man to deal in weasel words or double
meanings" The WorldNews recognizes
that "he has won many of the issues
for which he stands. in the Democratic
platform" and concludes: THE candi-
dates were not of his choosing, but they
and the party for which they speak will
have the full measure of his support
On the skill and vigor with which that
support is exercised must depend in
some measure, at least, the chances for
non1nrrQfir victory State
and victory there would insure victory
in the Nation" The Oklahoma City
Times independently states that "vic-
tory next November, probable before
Smith spoke, becomes more probable
now." The Asbury Park Evening Press
independent Democratic) observes that
between New Yorks two Governors
there exists unity of sympathies that
not even political animosities can con-
ceal" and that "the Democratic plat
form is largely the exclusive handiwork
of these two men," The Columbia IS.
c. Record independent Democratic)
concludes: There was nothing else for
him to say. The party supported Smith
in 1928 and he ought to have won. He
would have made a great President" :"
The Providence Journal independently
voices the belief that "he will be found
in the role of party speaker" The
Meridian MISS Star independently
observing that he decided to repay
party fckleness with full-measured
Democratic loyalty" calls 1t "a noble
gesture well worthy of the leader and
the man."
If Smith did not have provocation
for leavinenhe reservation and quietly
doing what Re could to defeat the man