Evening star., 1934-03-04
The First Year.

1ueIe Will De mllllOnS OF words
printed today in review, analysis and
criticism, friendly and unfriendly, of
the Presidents first year in the White
House. One conclusion common to
most Of them is that the President to-
day Is more popular than he was q
year ago, enjoys prestige in the Ma
tion that is unique and has won a de-
gree Of unquestioning confidence and
respect from all the people that no
President before him gained while in
Office.
This conclusion prompts the ques-
ton: What would have happened, or
would be happening today had it oeen
otherwise?
Volumes have been and will con-
tinue to be written about the social
revolution" of the past year: the vast
amount of legislation that with q
minimum Of jar has scrapped tradi-
tions, challenged the lessons Of expert
ence, turned loose bright green ideas
in new pastures and deifiei untried
theories. A lot of the legislation is
explained by the demands of the mo-
ment, born of the emergency. A lot
Of it represents the hopes and aspira-
tions of tired and disguised people Who
seek change-any change. A lot Of it
is exactly what one would expect in
the attempt to repeal by act of Con-
gress what many have philosophically
regarded heretofore as natural" law.
Some of it Is good and will change out
worn concepts that should be changed
and some Of 1t undoubtedly will turn
out pretty badly and take proper place
in the museum Of oddities Of democ-
racy.
But none of it seems so dramatically
the personality Of the man who en-
gineered 1t and made it possible. This
personality has gripped the magma
tion of his countrymen, restored faith
and confidence that were all but shat
tered and offered leadership that even
those who doubt do follow and none
Is strong enough to challenge
That, one may grant, is the greatest
achievement Of the President in his
first year In Office. It may we'll be
considered his most important. OF all
the things needed year ago today,
the greatest was the inspiration of
new leadership and of real leadership
This the courageous gentleman in the
White House has supplied. Had he
lacked the ability to supply it, failed
to accept the challenge of the period,
or by faltering shown himself a less
daring champion, the story of the past
year might have had a far less happy
ending and the prospect for tomorrow
might have been far less bright than
it is today.
Good Americans can thank their
stars for the Presidents personal pop
ularity and leadership and pray that
it will last A great deal depends upon
its lasting, for much remains to be
done before the dangers so manifest a
year ago have been left behind. But
normal response to intelligent leader
ship does not demand idolatry or
hero worship. The response to the
Presidents leadership has at times
shown some of the characteristics of
idolatry. Those who have the best
interests of their President and of
their country at heart may hope, as
his first year lengrhens into the Sec
ond, that there will be a renewal of
the once inherent tendency of Ameri-
cans to rest faith in and derive cour-
age and inspiration from institutions
and principles, with a consequent
lessening of complete dependence on
individuals. For the task which lies
ahead is one in which all men must
Join. They cannot pass responsibility
to one man, or one group of men. It
Is too great for any one man to shoul-
der alone.