Evening star., 1936-07-24
Gov. LandOn's Speech.

In speaking as an everyday Ameri-
can = of issues deeply concerning us
ALL" Governor Landon builds the major
part of his address of acceptance
around one of them. Broadly speaking,
that issue concerns a conception of the
role of the Federal Government under
the Constitution and its policy toward
recovery. 1t is not the sort of issue
that finds sharp definition in party
platforms. 1t is more of phi
loSophy than a creed. 1t is the same
issue, incidentally, that formed the
theme of the Presidents address ac-
cepting the Democratic nomination at
Philadelphia
AS for other issues, Governor Landon
is politically orthodox in following the
campaign ritual of condemning and
promising, without entangling detail
He makes advised reference at the out
set of his speech, to the full obligation
of the oath of Office. He condemns the
evil of the relief roll, faVorS economy
in government, promises aid for the
destitute He condemns political ma
nipulation of relief funds and favors
a social security program that is work
able" He condemns the mounting bur-
den of debt and taxes, promises to put
our financial house in order" He con-
demns the theory-but not the benefit
checks-of the A. A. A. and promises
aid to the farmer through soil conserva-
ton and cash benefits d" to cushion
our farm families against the disastrous
effects of price fluctuations" He con-
demns the loss of our foreign trade and
promises the American farmer his full
share of the domestic market and pro-
lection against the adversities OF
drought and other temporary affiic
tions" He condemns the practice of
rushing to the President to ward off
labor troubles promising that labor
shall enjoy the right to organize, with
men free to join the unions they prefer
without employer coercion and with the
National Government in the role OF an
umpire in protecting the public interest
and in mediating disputes.
One might wish for clearer delinea-
ton of the candidates views on funda-
mental points in controversy in some of
these and other issues. Perhaps that
will come later in the course of the
campaign. The address of acceptance
was very wisely kept within reasonable
limits of length, and Governor Landon
forewarned his audience that he would
merely touch on some points.
But his discussion of what many ac-
cept as the real issue of the campaign
finds Governor Landon at his best. He
approaches it with the accurate state
ment that the primary need of the
Nation in 1888 was more jobs for the
unemployed And in 1886, after four
years of various experiments, the pri-
mary need of the Nation remains-more
jobs for the unemployed. How are they
to be obtained?
At Philadelphia, the President, stand
ing squarely on platform that en-
visions the Government at Washington
as responsible for the eradication of
most of the ills of mankind, epitomized
the spirit of SO" as the pursuit of the
economic royalists after their heels, and
those of the privileged princes, have been
lifted from the necks of the oppressed.
Under a government possessing the
vibrant personal character that is the
embodiment of human charity" we
shall fight down the enemy that is
within our gates"
At Topeka Governor Landon is less
poetic but more direct. He pleads, in
the first place, for united Nation. not
torn by appeals to prejudice and di-
vided by class feeling" The vital force
in our Nation, we learn, is not the
economic royaliStS, or even the Fed
eral Government, but american ini-
tiative and it must be freed"
The country is ripe for recovery.
There are billions of dollars ready
for investment in delayed improvement
and expansion. What is holding back
these billions is not the fear of economic
royalists, under pursuit by a zealouSly
crusading Federal Government, but
"lack of confidence in the soundness of
Federal policy"
We must be freed from incesSant gov
ernmental intimidation and hostility.
We must be freed from an arbitrary and
uncertain monetary policy, and, through
a vigorous enforcement of the anti
trust laws, we must be freed from pri-
vate monopolistic control.
The Governor does not look upon the
Constitution as enslaving men by its
fixed limitations, denying them progress
beyond the horse and buggy days.
1t came from the people to guar
antee their freedom. And when it
is to be changed. the people can
change it "by following the proce-
dure they themselves laid down. But
for any official or branch of govern
ment to attempt such change without
authority from the people is to do an
unwarranted and illegal act. Change
must come by and through the people
and not by usurpation."
Recovery through dependence on the