The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1940-09-11
Just What the Doctor Ordered
An Appraisal of Democratic National Convention

itarianism, but conservative, see
None Of this wild experimentation
Sound. Seasoned"
, / strolled down Michigan avenue
every afternoon in time to see the
Garner parade. The first time they
marched they had no identifying ban
ner or standard, and one knew they
were Garner marchers only by their
youthful appearance and general en-
thusiasm. Not to mention their Texas
costumes. Those spontaneous shouts
of "Yippeei" could have been gener-
ated only by ardor for a "whiskey-
drinking poker-playing, evil old man."
After the first day they carried a pic
ture of the gentleman from Texas.
How many times all those pairs Of
high-heeled boots minced up and down
Michigan avenue, l do not know for
sure; but having worn them a lot
myself, l could sympathize with the
marchers. They were earning their
money.
While l was watching the Wabash
street bridge rise up to admit boat
from the lake, a drunk gave me an
instructive lecture on the dangers of
involvement in war. He cursed the
present administration, and when |
persisted in paying attention to the
bridge, he admonished two obviously
wealthy and conservative gentlemen
to vote for Wheeler.
A generous and tolerant lady from
Pennsylvania warned me against the
fifth colunmists, and told me how she
had come from the Republican party
to the Bourbons in less than two
years. But not why. 1t seemed to
have been some sort of desire to help
save the United States government.
but the lady was not clear on this
point
declared that if we believe in and
prefer democracy and feel that the
people get what is good for them
through their exercise of majority
rule, this Democratic convention was
just what the doctor ordered. SEN
ator Glass registered his objection and
delivered his warning. Mr.. McNutt
had his big empty moment when what
might have been his triumph turned
to mold and bitterness in his mouth,
and he had to swallow it and grin.
Mr. Farley got nice pat on the back
and a swift kick in the Palm Beach
trousers. Like great Caesar before
him, Mr.. Roosevelt thrice refused the
crown, but the will of the delegates
was too much for him. The Montana
delegation had a fist fight with some
who wanted them to join the demon
stration parade. If any spontaneity
was lacking, Mayor Kelly and his
boys provided it even to the extent OF
dragging it in off the streets. In fact,
the Mayor looked pretty good in there
as a cheer leader.
When the delegates rioted and
romped in the aisles, | left the hall.
Not Indignantly, but those street cars
do get terribly crowded and / needed
sleep worse than the delegates did.
THEY were taking part in an historic
occasion with the eyes and ears of the
world upon them. And | couldn't
have those eyes and ears on me any
onger They made me feel too hor-
IDLY uneasy. They made everything
seem to painfully out of joint. |
couldn't laugh But | did go away
ceiling sorry for Mr.. Kaltenborn. He
lad been so hepped up over the Re-
)ublicans.
Lister Hill sent his brabaric burble
,ver the hushed and wondering roof
ops of the world, but I had at last
zone back to my original status as
vicarious observer and found myself
cool, quiet spot where only few
trunks were ignoring the list and des-
my of the universe. / can't remem-
,er more than a few words of what
eleanor said / didn't give rap
bout fate's apportionment to Mr.
Wallace. | had reached a quiescence
to that of the inebriates.
ny fellow citizens; but l beg Of you
ot to misunderstood me.
And | still beg it. If Mr.. Roose-
cit laid awake nights, the least we
an do is refrain from sentimentality
yer an old tradition. l was moved
0 weep along with the ladies from
indiana, for the disappointments OF
his world are keen even when ones :
acrifices are laid upon the altar of
,risis. We who are the people have
till our own responsibilities to bear,
nd it may be true finally that we get
s good as we deserve.
Only one regret. l do wish that the
eople could have been there instead
f the delegates.