The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1940-07-03


from Democratic realists i
They recognize that whether
the COP bosses liked him or not,
the Republicans have nominated
man who win give Roosevelt or
any other Democratic candidate
the fight of his life. Political
"oomph", in their opinion, counts
for more than the power trust
handicap, and there is no getting
away from the fact that Willkie
Is the oomph wonder Of present.
day politics.
All this sharpens the issue of the
third term. More than ever 1t
puts the future Of the Democratic
party solely in the hands Of one
man.
For all the Democratic realists
admit that Franklin Roosevelt is
the only man who can win against
Willkie. Cordell Hull would seem
a kindly old saint from the early
pages Of American history COM
pared with the young political dy-
namo who cleaned up Philadel-
phia on the fifth ballot.
FDR SHUNS THIRD TERM
Meanwhile, those who have
talked to Roosevelt In recent weeks
get the impression that he defin-
itely and genuinely does not want
to run. The word he gave Col,
Frank Knox-that Secretary Hull
was his candidate-he has also
repeated with monotonous rhythm
to many others. He has appeared
tired and very much discouraged
at the way things have been go
ing in Europe. He has said that he
does not see why 1t Is up to him
to carry the burden for the Demo-
cratic party.
Also, he has made the point
that in these days Of encroaching
relationships, the United States
should avoid making any move
which might appear. even by pre-
cedent, to be step toward die
tatorship.
So consistent has Roosevelt
been in saying this that one Of
his close friends, a Supreme
Court Justice, has been tele-
phoning ROosevelt's friends in
New York asking them to urge
the President to run.
Only one deviation from this
line of reasoning has crept into
the Presidents conversation. This
is the challenge of Hitler. Roose-
welt regards the Fuehrer as the
greatest menace this country ever
has faced; a challenge to every
thing the American people stand
for: likewise challenge to Roose-
welt. And he would like to be in
the vanguard of those who eventu-
ally down Hitler.
NO OTHER DEMOCRAT
However. there is another stu
alton which is important. This
is the precarious position in which
the Democratic party finds itself
If Roosevelt does not run. With
two weeks to go before the Chi
cago convention there is abso-
lutely no other Democrat built up
sufficiently to take the ball and
carry 1t. The President has vir-
tually all the delegates pledged to
him. The whole convention will
be centered on Roosevelt and on
no other man.
In other words. Roosevelt will
have 10 run or else 1t means sure
Democratic defeat. Furthermore,
u he should back out at the
last minute, O tide Of resentment
would fIeod against him from
those who felt he had lei them
down--a deluge unequaled since
the storm Of bitterness against
Teddy Roosevelt when he was
almest nominated In 1915 but
proposed Henry Cabel Ledge IN.
stead. The convention refused
70 accept Ledge. chose Charles
Evans Hughes and never f0rgaye
r. y.
Faced with q similar situation
~ Chicago. the Democrats might
follow itoosevelt's advice and none
mate coEdell Hui. but against
Wlllkle they could not elect him.
~ ether words, II locks A if
Heessvels, whistler Ne giants fe
sun - not, WIN have 10 GENE
ihFengh. W barring TIE I'M
pEa9Ieieble, yem gan be pretty
sure thai the ean4l1aies geu wI'l