The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1936-07-31
ADDRESS BY
NORMAN THOMAS
At Institute Of Public At
fairs, University of Vir-
GINA, Charlottesville, Va.
On Friday, July IL, 1886

OAAO 4OpC VI P4C4lIy1 peace duQ Tree.
dom. This ought not be to news
1t is news, it is because other par.
ties, even the communists. profess
that the immediate issue is ode
mOcracy"-all of them profess to
favor that-against "fascism", re-
action, personal dictatorship, or
what have you. The difference be-
tween these warning groups con-
Germs the nature of democrarcy,
and who is it's true friend.
We Socialists say that the more
fundamental issue upon which de-
mocracy itself depends is Social
ism against Capitalism. We do not
say that there are no differences
between the parties-or rather the
candidates-Or that the difference
have no Importance. We simply
say that they are relatively unim-
pOrtant, and that neither of the
major parties has a program ade-
quate to our defense against war
and fascism. Not that either of
the old parties in itself is as vet
fascist, or engaged in fascist con-
splracy: -Fasclsnn is a stage of CAPT.
Artist dlslntegration not yet reach
ed IN America, or as yet conscious
~ desired by important political
leaders.
AS to the differences between
parties, unquestionably Mr.. Roose-
welt is more progressive. more a.
lert to the human problems of his
time than Mr.. Landon or the forces
who made that highly synthetic
candidate, and can break him.
lBut what I have said about Mr.. |
Roosevelt certainly cannot be said
OF such Of his associates as Vice
President Garner, Senator Robin !
son Of Arkansas or Postmaster |
General Farley.)
One of the alarming and con-
temptlble things about the cam
palgn is the extraordinary hate Of
our so called respectable classes.
now vehement supporters of Mr..
Landon, openly express for Mr..
Roosevelt. / have never heard such
nate or such Indictment to possible
violence in any radical meeting in
New York Square. The hate is as
stupid as it is maligant. 1t comes
from a class whose profit and pres
tlge Mr.. Roosevelt has temporarily
saved by reforms which cost them
very little.
In several parts of the country
l. have heard quiet discussion Of
one possible element in the hatred
OF Roosevelt and the support of
Landon or Lemke which ought to
be brought to light. That is a feel
ing that the President did not 90
lar enough, or compel Ambassador
Daniels to go far enough, in sup |
port Of the Catholic Church in
Mexico, Criticism of him. express
ed or implied, has come from both
Father Coughlin and AL Smith,
as these gentlemen are of
each other.
This Institution has been dis
Latin-American affairs II
may therefore be appropriate at
this point for me to state NV posi-
ton. Public opinion in our country
ought always to be vigorously ex-
pressed in favor of civil and reli
g1ous liberty in all lands. The ]
weight OF that opinion will depend
upon the sincerity with
we practise what we preach.
LC IS proper for our government
% throw its Influence, short of in
.erventlon, on the side of liberty I
we quarrel with this Administra- $
Ion for the support it's ambassa- I
Tors to Cuba have given in behalf t
II American financial interests. to c
and tyranny in that Is \
and: To a considerable extent the |
'esults of the revolution against |
lachado have been frustrated with b
american help. We hope that the t
Sovernment-and certainly public
use influence against :
ne ruthlessess of repression in
'razll. But even moral influence
must be caerfully used. And in La
In America affairs we must he
artlcularly careful not tn make
recessed concern for rightino al
eyed wrongs a cloak for our own h
Imperialism. From that point of Il
lew MIR. Roosevelt's attitude and Il
5atements on this church situation n.
MeNco-now fortunately less p n,
lte-do him credit and only Gre "
it, and we are entitled f. ash :,
'om Father Coughlin's candidaaa i
es' and from Mr.. Landon. defin-
e assurances that if thew are II
ected this policy toward MEXICO =,
Ill be continued. I dwell on this o,