Evening star., 1933-03-15

Mayor Anton Cermak's simple words
to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, es
he was fatally wounded in the presence
Of the Nations Executive, are remem-
bered by his countrymen in the esti-
mates Of his character and services
The statement, Il am glad 1t was me
instead Of you," Is made his epitaph,
and Il ranked with other features Of
his career which stamped him as a cour-
ageous and self sacrificing patriot.
1T will always be rendered" thinks
the Rock Island Argus, that in the
moment Of deepest crisis, his first
thought was not Of himself, but Of the
man whom the epople of the United
States had elected President. It is
written that he who lays down his life
for his friend has attained to the
heights Of sacrifice This man from
far-of Bohemia, who, from being a
mule-driver in an Illinois mine. rose
to be mayor of Americas second largest
city and a national figure, could only
be vanquished by death" The Apple
ton Post-Crescent declares that ct Is
Cermak, the immigrant, unschooled and
unlettered, who has enriched the ltera-
ture af American public life with a
brilliant and deathless expression, in
his words to the President" The As
bury Park Evening Press feels that he
gave the impression that had the op-
portunity presented itself he would
have deliberately stepped In front Of
Mr.. Roosevelt and sacrificed his own
life"
The significance OF such . soul, -
says the Atlanta journal, touches our
dust with the Divine, and reaches be-
ho Yho mi
that he was q man who, tn his fate
full hour. shone with the glory Of utter
self-sacrifice The Journal also de-
scribes his career with the statement:
Though he has lost his heroic battle
against bodily death, Anton j. Ger
max lives today more vividly than
ever in the hearts of the American
people. His career reminds them OF
the bravest and best-remembered types
In their country's past, OF the pioneer,
the free soldier, the man of adventur-
ing faith, the conqueror of fortunes s
Odds the builder Of what is most char
acteristic in our democracy"
"An engaging personality. rugged hon.
esty and q willingness to work as hard
in the public service as he had in his
own business" according to the San
Francisco Chronicle. were the quail
ties that recommended him to public
favor. He had more than politicians
capacity for friendship and passionate
loyalty to American institutions. These
two characteristics of friendship and
loyalty found expression in the simple
sincerity with which he greeted Frank
lin D. Roosevelt when the President
elect called at his hospital bed, I am
glad It was me, Frank, instead OF you
Nathan Hale became immortal through
. phrase much like that. No finer
epitaph could be written for Anton
Cermak"
"In achieving his position Of In
ffueuce and power" thinks the Balti-
more Sun, there must have been many
occasions to call upon reserves of forth
tude and character. and these qualities
enabled him to hold of the last enemy
during three crises and to win the SYM
pathetic admiration Of all of u.s." The
Newark Evening News calls his death
n national tragedy" as result Of
head in sorrow." The Rockford Reg
ister-Republic holds that democracy
national, State and municipaEhas lost
wise and able leader" while the
Akron Beacon journal declares that "he
died . martyr to his duty" and the
Houston Chronicle proclaims that
America rvmembers the gallant figure
OF = gallant fighter: that he was rich
In the love and respect of his fellow
citizens" The Oakland Tribune AYERS
that his devotion to duty, his mod
exty and talents will be remembered"
and the Boston Transcript that "the
story Of his life will remain as an in
spiration TO his fellow countrymen." :"
Ths HAvefhil oAsette records that no