Evening star., 1940-09-20
Roosevelt Raps
Al Accusations
Of Dictatorship
American Freedom
Lies in Its Free
Elections, He Says
BY JOHN c. HENRY,
Star Staff Correspondent.

dent Roosevelt today raped back at
accusations of dictatorship, telling a
University Of Pennsylvania audience
that American freedom lives in it's
system of free elections-and that in
its maintenance rests the complete
and enduring safety" of the Nation
as we now know it.
Receiving an honorary degree as
doctor Of laws from this 200-year-old
institution Of learning, the Chief
Executive keynoted his acceptance
address on the theme of the vital
quality of freedom for all the citizens
to exercise voice in their Govern
mentor to accept such an alterna-
tive as "Nazism" has visited upon
Germany.
Reaching back into American his
tory and the conflicting views of
Thomas Jefferson and Alexander
Hamilton over the issues of govern.
ment by the many or by the few,
Mr.. Roosevelt imposed no oualifica-
tions on the thorough agreement
with the former in his estimate of
the superior ability of the whole of
the voters to pass upon political
and social issues in free and un-
hampered elections, as against the
exclusive ability of smaller group
OF individuals at the top of the
social structure
only too often in our political
history" he continued. "the few at
the top have tried to advise or die
tate TO the many lower down how
they should vote.
Hits Idea of Rule by Few.
Even today in certain quarters
there are, regret to say. demands
for a return of government to the
control OF those few, who because Of
business ability or economic ON
niscience, are supposed to be lust
a touch above the average of our
citizens. Their type of political
thinking could easily lead to gov
eminent by selfish seekers for power
and riches and glory. - Once
the Government falls into the hands
of a few elite. curtailment or even
abolition of free institutions might
be adopted as the means of keeping
them in power"
In bitter tone he recalled sug-
gestions of Republican origin that
the right to vote be taken from
the unemployed now carried on work
relief rolls.
"As long as periodic free elections
survive" he assured, no set of peo-
pie can permanently control govern
ment. In the maintenance OF free
elections rests the complete and en-
during safety of our form of govern
ment.
mo dictator in history has ever
dared to run the gauntlet of really
free election"
Turns Fire on Naziism.
Turning his fire on the philosophy
OF Naziism, and stressing the part
which disgruntled big business had
played in giving it birth, the Presi-
dent went on:
"A decade ago, the German peo-
pie despaired of the processes of
their democracy, which were based
on the free use of the franchise.
They were willing to lend ear to a
new cult called 'Naziism-a minor.
lty group which professed extraor-
dlnary patriotism and offered
bread and shelter and better gov
ernment through the rule of a
handful of persons boasting of spe-
clal aptitude for government. In
those days loudly professed empha-
sis was placed by this special group
on their own purity of purpose.
Nothing was ever said about
abolishing free elections. Many
people of large business affairs. in
fuenced by several factors. and dis
satisfied with the Democratic sys-
tenn, formed political and economic
alliances with this small group.
You and I know the subsequent
history of Germany The right of
free elections and the free choice
of heads of government were sud-
denly wiped out by new regime,
still protesting the same purity of
purpose. 1t is a travesty on fact
to claim that there is any free
choice of public officials in that
nation today, or that there ever
has been one since 1888"
Inspects Navy Yard.
Before going to Convention Hall
for acceptance of the degree, cli-
max in a week-long observance by
this university of its 2OOth BIRTH
day, the Chief Executive made a
swift inspection of the great Phila-
delphia Navy Yard, the new To-
story naval hospital, and the quar-
termaster depot-summing up his
observations in a press conference
declaration that America is learn
ing the art of speed in preparing for
its total defense"
Carefully prepared and couched
for the most part in academic tones,
Mr.. Roosevelt's address several
times stressed the part which edu-
cational institutions may play and
the obligations which they owe to
the national life.
ut is in great universities like
this he told his audience near the
closing, that the ideas which can
assure our national safety and
make tomorrow's history, are being
forged and shaped. Civilization
O"CS IliOSI W the men ana women,
known and unknown, whose free.
inquir:ng minds and restless INTEL
lectS could not be subdued by the
power of tyranny.
This is no time for any man to
withdraw into some ivory tower and
proclaim the right to hold him.
self aloof from the problems and
the agonies of his society.
Offers New Deal Summary.
IF democracy is to survive" he
added with slow emphasis, "it is the
task Of men of thought, as well as
men of action, to put aside pride
and prejudice; and with courage
and singleminded devotion - and
above all with humility-to find the
truth and teach the truth that
shall keep men free"
Although, according it briefer at
tention than in previous utterances
of this campaign, the President