Evening star., 1936-06-12

1z4|llzAzlEzE M strange even II ne
NAL s.m had been tn Q
worst chief exec
utive in the eountrys history-and
Republicans knew Hoover had been,
under hard circumstances. very
good President. Not to renominate
the ex-President would be strange
even If the Republicans had an abun-
dance Of other good material-and the
fact was the Republicans were strik-
ingly lacking in good presidential ma
terial. Not to renominate the ex-
President would be strange even II he
were inactive and remote, even If
others were providing the partys in
tellectual leadership-and everybody
knew Hoover was providing the only
real leadership of thought that the
Republicans had.
"Smearing" = Factor.
Nevertheless, the Republicans de-
cided not to renominate Hoover. Some
felt that Hoover's association with the
depression, and the ruthless smear
Ing" OF him by the Democrats, had
made him unavailable. They felt
there must be somebody, someone
named x" who could get more votes
than Hoover.
And they felt, justifiab bly, that any
one who could get as many as 10 votes
more than Hoover would be q better
nominee. Except in q very few quar-
terS. there was in this decision no
animus against Hoover Some of
Hoover's warmest friends agreed 1t
was best to find another nominee.
Many Republican possibilities had
been made unavailable by the disss-
trous defeats of 1882 and 1884 True.
there were three Republican justices
OF the Supreme Court. Justices
Hughes, Stone and Roberts-all the
quickly agreed that court should be
held inviolate.
Gravitate 10 Second znk Man.
With the justices out, and the ex-
President out, the Republicans we're
obliged TO turn to Second-rank men.
Even in the second rank, presidential
material was scsnt. In the 1894 eIec-
tions, only four Republican Governors
had won. The man the Republicans
gradually gravitated to had had no
experience in public life except IS
Governor OF not very large State
He was unknown TO the country.
Here then, were the Republicans
knowing they had a first-rank man
but taking a second-rank man. 1t
was a thing that called for explana-
ton. Not TO nominate Hoover was aS
if the Republicans had q skeleton in
their closet. The Republicans did not
analyze the condition. but, subcon-
sciously and uncomfortably, they felt
it. 1t was the disquiet of conscience
which any one has who could do the
best thing-but decided to do the
second best. Maybe it couldn't be
helped, but it was unfortunate
So long as this condition existed.
it was a defect in Republican morale.
1t sspped the esteem of the country
for the Republican party. 1t ac-
counted for the lapse in hope, the
spirit OF defeatism that pervaded the
Republicans q few weeks ago. 1t
accounted for the inertia, the almost
unhsppiness that pervaded this con-
vention in its early stages. The del
egstes may not recognize the cause
OF their low feelings, but it was very
real.
Wrong Is Righted.
Mingled with the feeling that they
were not doing the best thing for the
country was the subconscious feeling
that they we're doing Injustice to
Hoover.
Then came Hoover's speech, but
the convention did not wait for the
speech. The sight of Hoover on the
platform gave to the convention. and
to the Republican party and the coun-
try, the chance to partially right past
Misunderstanding and unfsirness
Before Hoover could open his lips
there arose q demonstration which
has rarely been equalled in American
conventions. There have been ova-
tions to candidates, and at the climax
of battles, but rarely one to q man
in Hoover's position. q visitor to the
1t was tribute to Hoover
the man, and not to his speech, for
he had not yet said word. OF
course. his appearance helped. With
out invidious comparison. Hoover had
a solid ruggedneSs of stature, physi-
cally and in his inner quality. which
marked him off from others, yet
the ovation was mainly because OF
the circumstances 1 have related.
Purging OF Souls.
That was no ordinary ovation. On |
the part of delegates it was partly |
partly purging from the
delegates souls of q slight sense OF |
shame, an obscure spirit |
ual disquiet. 1t partook partly OF the
nature of a Catholic confessional or
an evangelical acknowledgment OF
guilty unworthineSs.
Hoover was surprised. He had been
told, by persons who saw his speech |
in advance, that it was the best he
ever wrote. He felt himself it was
good and was prepared to hear ap-
oroval of it from the convention But
the ovation, at least 10 or Is minutes
Of it, came before he began his
he had received ap-
olause at a score OF points in his
speech, and after messages came to
Hoover at his hotel saying the con-
gention was still cheering and de-
handing that he come back-he was
pleased and happy. And one feels
that the episode was as cheering and
creditable to the country as to Hoover.