Evening star., 1940-11-19

which does you SO much real good.
Your health and happiness are too
important to the Nation and TO
the world for you to forego, in the
name of duty, some rest and recrea-
ton after the effort of the campaign.
Only those who were in that fight
can realize the drain on your ener-
gies during those closing days, when
you had to set aside your official
duties in order to carry your case
to the people. Your achievement,
in stopping Willkie and winning a
tremendous landslide victory in the
face of a resolute, well-fnanced and
well-organized opposition campaign,
is a classic of political strategy. 1t
deserves to rank in politics where
StoneWall Jacksons valley cam
paign and Napoleon's 1914 campaign
rank in military history. In five
speeches and one fireside chat, you
changed the course of history.
After that alone you deserve rest.
Wearing Tasks Ahead.
We want you to have that rest.
moreover. because we know how
heavy will be the demands upon you
in the months and years which lie
ahead AS an act of public service.
we feel that you owe it to us and
to America to take time out to rest
up and get set for the struggle of
the future We know that decisions
Of major policy cannot be deferred
but We contend that it is the duty
of your subordinates to save you
decisions on detail and to find ways
and means by which TO make 1t
possible for you to deal with mat
ters of major policy from Warm
Springs for few DAYS or weeks.
We know of no controlling national
reason which requires your physical
presence at Washington at this
moment and We urge YOU to remem-
Der that the long pull is ahead OF
you and of us and to husband your
strength and energy now.
Fatigue is also one Of Hitlers
weapons and we do not propose to
aid his game by letting you tire
yourself out at this juncture.
So the time has come for those
who have supported you-and for
those who have opposed you-to fol-
low the example of the Army OF
Northern Virginia in the closing
days of the War Between the States.
You remember that, on one occasion
during the grueling Wilderness cam
paign, Gen. Robert E. Lee rode into
the front lines of the Confederacy
on his famous horse, Traveller. His
object was to view the situation for
himself and to hearten the men
under his command.
Lee "Ordered" to Rear.
The Confederate troops would
have none of it. To them Lees
safety was Of supreme importance
and the cry went up along the gray
clad ranks: Gen Lee. to the rear!
Gen Lee, to the rear!' They were
unwilling that their commander
should expose himself needlesslv to
dangers and. as I recall the history
books, Gen. Lee did go to the rear
and left his men free of anxiety for
his safety while they were under his
orders.
So today, Mr.. President, with all
respect for your courage and patriot
ism and devotion to your executive
duties, we say to you: president
Roosevelt, to Warm Springs! Presi-
dent Roosevelt to Warm Springs!'
Go down there. Mr.. President, to
the children you have helped to
walk. to the friends and relaxation
and interests which are part OF your
life and part of our national her
itage. We drafted you, Mr.. Presi-
dent. to be our Commander in
Chief during the next four years,
knowing that you were weary and
wished to retire. We now beg of you
to take our advice and let us draft
you for short and well-earned
vacation before all of us plunge di-
rectly into the great contest of will
and strength and courage which
lies before us as our rendezvous
with destiny.