Evening star., 1940-07-16
Republican Charges
OF f'War Party Draw
Retort Of 'Ca|umny'

House Speaker Says
Democrats Are Opposed
To Foreign involvement
Following is 'the tert of the
keynote address OF House Speak
er Bdnkhedd to the Democratic
National Convention at Chicago
last night:
Mr.. Chairman and fellow Demo-
Gratis:
I am very deeply grateful for
the honor and privilege of being
named as temporary chairman of
this convention. It is a great per-
sonal qualification to be intro
duced by the man who has been
of such inestimable value and serv-
Ice to the Democratic party for two
terms as our national chairman and
who likewise has served with great
success, ability and distinction as
Postmaster General OF the United
States-your friend and mine. the
Hon. James A. Farley.
It is heartening and inspiring
spectacle to look out upon this vast
assemblage of the representatives
of the Democratic party of our
Nation, as we'll as the thousands
of loyal guests who will be so deeply
interested in our actions and de-
liberations. We are justified in our
loyalty and devotion to a great po-
litical party, which, over period
of years almost as great as the life
of our Republic itself, in victory or
defeat, in power or removed from
power. has, during all the decades
of its existence, proclaimed its al
legiance to that fundamental po-
litical maximum announced by
Thomas jefferson, equal rights 10
all and special privileges to none.
That means, in essence, that our
party in the ancient days as we'll as
on this night, believes in and fights
for the basic and irreducible human
rights of the average American
citizen. We are here assembled to
pledge renewed allegiance to that
cherished creed and to send forth
to the people the assurance that If
continued in power we shall not de-
part from the faith of our fathers.
Under our system of party gov
ernment, it is just and equitable
for the electorate to judge, and to
reward or punish national party,
mot upon the basis of its platform
promises, but strictly upon the
record of its performance and ac-
accomplishments as an instrument
tality of public service. It is my
purpose to make that principle the
straight edge and yardstick of this
address.
Hopes Party Won't Indulge
In Campaign Criminations.
In great political campaign
euch as that which will be waged
between now and November, there
will be a temptation upon the part
pf some political leaders and poll
ticians in both parties to indulge
IN a barrage of examinations and
personal innuendo. There will be
he charge of omission and COM
mission; distortions of the facts of
minor and secondary incidents. It
S my earnest hope that members
n my own party at least will not
resort to that method of political
campaign.
If we do not gravely misappre-
hend the present temper and dis
position of the American people,
they are now in no mood to be
moved or Influenced by petty and
yindictive exaggerations of issues
Dr. events that are of no vital con-
cern to the safety and security of
the United States of America as
possibly the last surviving outpost
bf democracy upon the face of the
,arth. The minds of the American
people are now SO deeply en-
crossed in matters of grave and
profound concern with reference
20 the preservation of our estab-
ished order of life and institu-
ions that they will have no toler-
ance for the superficial banalities
bf politics. An election must be
held, but aside from some legiti-
nate banter and the discussions of
Eecords of the two parties and of
heir candidates, the major objec-
i've of both parties must be unity
md solidarity of purpose in pre-
serving inviolate the structure of our
Government and the perpetual free
iom of its people.
We all recognize that ours is a
government by political parties
Ind that, as instrumentalities Of
government, they are entitled to
The largest possible measure Of
freedom in carrying legitimately
disputed issues to the people. But
buch issues should be fairly pre-
|ented. They should be clothed in
he garments Of truth and toler-
nce and reason. Neither our party
hor the opposition can, in terrible
lines like these, profit by a de-
barture from this principle.
Record of Roosevelt
Administration Reviewed.
The Democratic party has now
been In absolute control OF the
Eovernment for seven and one
half years. In order to get back
% the postulate of party respon-
ibility to the people and in order
hat the people might have a fair
basis of appraisal as to whether
br not we have done, on the whole,
good or an evil job under that
responsibility, it is just and even
necessary to look back to the con-
hitions which prevailed in our
ocial and economic status when
lnder the overwhelming mandate
bf the American people, a Demo-
ratio administration took over
he Government on March 4, 1888
think it is proper that it be said
n all candor, that none of us who
have had part in formulating and
administering the policies that
Ss,%A lon, ,,olnv