Evening star., 1940-10-30
Kennedy Text
Continued From Page A-11)

war.
The President must watch
every move abroad TO Judge by
what action he can serve the
United States best. Events move
so quickly-the man of expert
ence is our man of the hour.
Thus, in this atmosphere
charged with war and revolu-
ton, when the social order of
the whole world is being chal-
lenged, not only by fighting
armies, but by new techniques of
revolution, psychological, physical
and economic, the people of
America must make solemn de-
cision, which of two men will
lead the destinies of our people
for the next four years?
1t is true that there have been
disagreementS between the Presi-
dent and mel have disagreed
sharply with him on some issues,
and I have disagreed with him on
methods employed in carrying
out objectives on which We
agreed. I am certain that if he
has had the time to study my
work, as have his, that he has
found things done by me with
which he disagreed. But such
is not uncommon. I am positive
ever employe is not always in
agreement with his employer,
and certainly the opposite is true.
Time When Minor Differences
Should Give Way for Teamwork.
However, these are times. as
you all know, which clamor for
national unity-times when ma
tional teamwork is vital and
when only fundamental disagree
ments should be considered.
Happily, on these great, mo-
mentous questions of foreign
policy, trade, commerce and the
future of our American way of
life, I find little basis for dis
agreement with the President.
1t is true that there is nothing
in our Constitution which limits
the term of service of our Presl-
dent. 1t is true that the tradition
really represents the preference
of earlier Presidents. Nonethe-
less, in normal times I might be
persuaded that the best interest
of the country called for no third
term. But the third term is the
least of the many considerations
which the American people should
take into account in exercising
their choice a week hence. The
gigantic issues which must be
faced. arising out of the world
crisis, make the third term oppo-
sition seem insignificant by COM
parison. The question still re-
mains - which Of the two men
can best serve the Nation.
The present war in Europe, as
have said, will affect seriously
every man, woman and child in
this country. There will be NAL
adjustments in this world greater
than ever before seen. There will
be required of our President wis
dom and talent, diplomatic fore
sight, courage and great in
genuity. There will, more than
all this, be required of our Presl-
dent for the next four years ex-
perlence in domestic and espe-
clally in foreign affairs.
The problems that he must face
are staggering just to compre-
hend. In the field of agriculture,
what is to be done with the sur
pluseS of the North American
continent? In the field of labor
relations, America will need lead
erShlp of great stature. The Presi-
dent must have the trust and
confidence of the aoilers of the
Nation. Finances will be disor-
ganlzed and foreign trade may pe
completely transformed.
No matter who is President
make up your minds. the prob
lens will be terrific. There is no
chance of our achieving perfec-
ton by picking a President. MI.
Roosevelt will not have all the
ansWers-probably no human be-
ing can have sound answers even
for a fraction of the acute issues
that may confront us.
None Can Know Best Course
In All the Profound Problems,
Many of my listeners on the
radio are specialist in various
fields. How would you answer
some of the following questions?
If you are in foreign trade, what
about your lost markets? What
about the problem of securing
foreign exchange? Just think of
what has happened to the motion
picture industry when the war
has cut of almost a third of the
revenue. Shall we go to the bar
ter system? If SO, by what route?
Can an individual trader COM
pete when his competitor is a
totalitarian government? No
man can know all the answers
no man can fail to make serious
mistakes.
1t is wrong not to appreciate
thoroughly the limitations set
by the worldwide dislocation.
Many of these problems will re-
main even If peace comes tomor-
row.
But we must make our choice
next week on what qualities are
revealed to us by the contenders.
About year ago, on my return
from London, I referred to the
gigantic problems which the war
had brought to the American
people and said that a newcomer
would need two years of training
before he could govern adequate
ly. 1t is still true, only more so.
But two years will be too late.
Don't forget the world is on the
move at speed never before wit
messed. Already Hitler's con-
quered nations make the ad-
vances of Napoleon appear puny.
It is later than you think. Den
mark was conquered in a matter
of hours; Norway, in days; Bel
gium and Holland, in weeks and
the proud and honorable France
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