Montgomery County sentinel., 1940-10-10
Il Might Be
|Wrong--BUT.
by P. G. Stromberg:

Are we SCTOiiS SAAOuSH dliu Ia
enough in our convictions to go
astray in emergencies from our
democratic safeguards and bal
ances and be certain of return
inc to them when the emergency
or emergencies are gone? Is it
logical to assume that once given
power and specific authority the
man or a group of men will, by
their own act, relinquish that
power and authority that our
democratic status quo might be
re-established? If we are firm
enough in our convictions we will
demand such return even though
those in authority were unwil-
ling SO to do, but if we are not
then it is dangerous to delegate
too much power.
In the above paragraph rests
the entire issues of the 1910
Presidential campaign. In those
questions rests the future of our
democracy. In those questions
rests the entire bewilderment
and anxiety of the thoughtful
voter WHO WANTS TO VOTE
AMERICAN regardless of
political party. Some feel that
in President Roosevelt we have
a patriot in whom we can, with
every assurance, place absolute
authority, and still return to our
traditional NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
he will voluntarily relinquish all
the emergency powers vested
in him when the emergencies no
longer exist. To these people
the question Of voting next
month offers no problem. There
are schools of thought, however,
where the feeling is that too much
authority has been vested in the
President. They feel that
President Roosevelt has yet to
voluntarily relinquish any au-
thority given him under national
emergency legislation and that
he will not do so in the future.
These people feel that in seeking
a third term he is serapping a
tradition which has existed dur
ing our entire national history.
Many of this same group state
that Mr.. Roosevelt has been a
credit to the country and that,
under his leadership, they feel
more secure in our foreign rela-
tions. Still they consider do
nestle problems of greater i'm
portance and fear that the world
problems will have too much
weight in the coming election.
1t is this type of voter who will
determine the November cleo
ton. If, during the next month,
these hesitant voters go in the
Roosevelt direction it will mean
his overwhelming victory. On
the other hand, should October
develop domestic issues as of
much greater Importance than
our foreign policy, then Willkie
will likely be our next President.
Although a Democrat I am
very honestly striving to reach a
decision. / can justify either
candidate and I can condemn
both just as convincingly to my
self. I should like to be able to
convey to millions of Americans
just how I feel and have them
help me and millions of others
make the right decision.
Of one thing / am certain
there will be more Democrats
voting Republican and Republic
cans voting Democratic than
any time in our recollection. And
the votes this year will be honest
personal convictions rather than
party labels.
President Roosevelt is a
finished, polished, clever and
forceful politician. He is admit
tedly the highest ranking politi-
cal expert who has graced The
White House. Willkie, on the
other hand, is likely the least
Trained amateur in politics who
has ever been minated by a
major polite PARTY. Will it
prove a handicap or an asset?
Will President Roosevelt's
political expertness prove a
handicap or an asset? am
inclined to admire WILKES very
rugged frankness and simplicity,
while too much self assurance