The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1936-11-13
POLITICAL ExPEDIENcY OR
HONESTY?

which have had the attention of The
TimeS-News in the past, making these per-
tinent observations:
''NIy friends and neghbors have, since the man
of the Brown Derby lined up with Landon, been
unable TO denounce him in terms bitter enough.
He is traitor a man who turns on his friends, a
louise. political quack, this and that l don't
like Al Smith and never have, but i can't see that
point of view. l can't to save me see why-regard-
less of what you think about mans political views
"a man isn't more honest TO express himself than
to keep quiet and trot with herd in which he has
no sympathy or agreement of conscience.
Garter Glass doesn't like the New Deal but he
went down the line with his political machine and
reluctantly helped to perpetuate it. Smith didn't
like it and he said so, and broke friendships and
gambled to lose much by publicly saying so. Who
was the more honest?
Here at home: Ralph Mcdonald could say moth
ing bitter enough about Hoey in the Democratic
primary and yet he went on the stump for him
and urged his election. One thing certain he
couldn't have been telling the truth both before
and after the primary. Which time were we to be-
leve him? Taking it for granted that MeDonalds
first views were his real views, and that he sim
cerely thought that North Carolina would make a
tremendous mistake to elect Clyde Hoey COVER
nor we deduce that his later activity in behalf of
Hoey was expedeney.
Which, then, is desirable and to be lauded po-
litcal honesty or political expedency, and doesn't
il narrow down to that?'
We submit that the foregoing views of
The News correspondent not only square
with common sense but also with morality.
A man as familiar as Al Smith is with
human nature and with political and other
conditions in this country was we'll aware
of the price he would have to pay for OPP
posing the reelection of President Roose-
velt-that price to be paid in flood Of
criticism and abuse, in the loss of lifelong
friendships and associates, and in various
other disagreeable ways.
Facing all of this, Al had the manhood
and courage to openly voice his convic-
tions and to oppose a course for the coun-
try which he believed would be inimical to
its welfare. This newspaper is confident
that this is the explanation of Smiths
course. No man in his position would be
moved to take the course Al took in the
late campaign by little fit of petty spite
or by any other small motive. The cost is
too great Al had much to lose of what
politicians and other worldly minded citi-
zens regard as all that life holds out as
worth living for. On the other hand he
had to take a chance on facing the result
of the election as it was recorded on No
vember 3rd; and if the result had been a
Republican victory, Smith would have en-
JOyed no remuneration except the approval
and satisfaction of good conscience.
The Times-News--never a Smith parti-
san or worshipper-believes Ars position
in the campaign was based on high sense
of patriotism, of loyalty to the principles
of the Democratic party as they were
known and accepted by Democrats until
four years ago, and a great regard for the
future welfare of his country. This is our
sincere conviction about Smith and it af-
fords us much pleasure to say so.
On the other hand, The Times-News just
as freely confesses that its past great
admiration for Senator Glass of Virginia
has been somewhat dimmed by that dis
tinguished statesman's evident surrender
to the exigencies of political expediency in
the late campaign.
AS to DR.. Mcdonald and the North Car
DINA situation, this newspaper has ALREADY
put in print its views.
To all of which let US add it is abso
lutely certain that until at least majority
of the voters of this country are wiling
and ready to endorse and support polltiea
leadership that is honest, sincere and franz
with the public, and is unafraid OF the con %
sequences of such course, the country
wip always be in danger from the politi
clans. Another certainty is that poltlca
leadership will not rise higher in morality
and patriotism or show itself to be better
i'm ,any particular than a majority of the