The Wilmington morning star., 1940-03-09

So it is more than ever important
for farmers to have a government in
Washington that is looking out for
their interests-not just by utter
ing glittering g%eneralities but by
specific policies and concrete &C.
ton. 1t is more than ever import
ant to maintain a national farm pro-
gram that can be adapted to meet
whatever emergencies arise -
whether they r emergencies of
drought or of lost markets overseas.
1t is more than ever important to
have a government in washington
that can act to protect the interests
of our farmers as well as u bust
ness men when foreign trade condi-
tons are upset.
In Europe economic failure has
led in some lands to dictatorship. In
America we are using the tools of
democracy to make our economic
system efficient, to preserve Jul
freedom, and to keep away even
from my talk Of dictatorship. The
national farm program is American
democracy's response to agr1cul-
tural distress. And any unprejudiced
persons who knows anything about
the subject not only admits but pro-
claims the fact that u national
farm program was dem%ocratically
conceived and is being democratical'
ly conducted with the active help OF
our farmers themselves.
Democratic Process
Furthermore. they proclaim what
they know-that their federal gov.
eminent counts IN farm aid and
farm advice to improve hat pro-
gram through the process of actual
experience as the need arises. That
1 call a truly democratic process of
government.
These are troubled times we of
this generation r living through.
Some of US, I know. are tempted to
give way to doubt and fear, even to
despair.
But when we are beleaguered by
thoughts like these, let us remem
Der how the l.ation has com
through its dark hours of the past,
and take courage. Think of Adams
and jefferson and Madison, as they
guided the nation through the con-
fusion of the Napoleonic period,
with ships rotting at the docks and
millions of dollars of farm products
stored on the wharves of the Allan
tic seaboard. Think Of Lincoln as
year after war-torn year he shelter
ed in his great heart the truest
aspirations of a country rent in
twain.
We believe ou- beloved United
States will come through all its
trials and tribulations of the pre-
sent. Ever since 1929. the people Of
the United States have demonstrate
ed the stuff of which they are made.
Splendid Example
One Of the reasons we know we
shall win through is the national
farm program. the inception of
which you are commemorating to-
night. The farm program is a
splendid example Of what 5000, 900
American families can do, when
they have the will ard leadership. to
do it.
The farmers have had a long hard
struggle to get laws and programs
which give them an opportunity 10
obtain economic and social justice,
to make it possible for them to con.
serve the good earth which, next to
our people and our tradition of free
dom, is our greatest heritage.
I am happy in the thought that
American farmers have gone part
way along that road to economic
and social justice, eve though
they have not reached the goal. ]
am happy in the thought thai
American farmers understand full
well that other great groups, such
as industrial and retail groups IL
the cities, great and small, such AZ
the small business men of the ma.
ton, have not yet attained the goa
of social and economic justice ever
though in these seven years they
have made undisputed progress to
ward it.
Many years ago I was told by
men Of experience in state and ma
tional affairs that American farm
ers could never agree on a program
I did not share that pessimistic be-
lief. My friends and I went out te
d~isprove it and the farmers OF
America showed clearly that we
were right. To them goes the honor
and the glory.
In the spirit of progressive action
that has animated these American
farm families, all of us tonight can
face with confidence whatever diff
ficulties the future may hold.
Women iE the Fiji Islands crawl