The Wilmington morning star., 1941-01-20
Text Of Ambassador Daniels
Speech To Electoral College

| of the American eagle III order to
feather their own nests;' and for
a new day for the forgotten far
mer. I felt then, before we met,
we were later to prevail in the
New Freedom and the New Deal.
Our next meeting, except during
the campaign, was on the morning
of March 4, 1913, when I ran into
Franklin Roosevelt as I was COM
ing out of the Willard hotel. I had
been rendered and accepted tn e
portfolio of Secretary of the Navy
in the Wilson administration, and
he congratulated me upon having
the choice Cabinet post" We had
not met since Wilson'S notable VIC
tory, to which we had both made
such contributions as we could. A
rare friendship, something like
love at first sight, begun at Baltl-
more, had ripened. We were both
joyous and happy that we were
that day to e our chosen leader
inducted into the Presidency. Aft
er a cordial exchange of greetings,
l asked him: "How would you like
to be the Assistant Secretary of the
Navy in the new administrations"
His face beamed his pleasure at
the suggestion. How would I like
it?" he answered, with boyish en-
thusiasm. How would I like it?
I'd rather have it than any position
in the republic, and would be jolly
glad to accept it, if rendered. ALI
my life my chief interest has been
ships and the Navy, and I'd love
to be associated with you in the big
task ahead for the Navy" When
1 preached the matter to Wilson,
he said: "You are quick on the
trigger" I answered.: mot as
quick as it seems. On the very
day I received your letter inviting
me to a seat in your Cabinet coun-
Gil, I told my wife that unless you
had a Choice for the position I
would recommend the naming of
Roosevelt" President Wilson then
asked: How well do you know
him, and are you sure he is the
best man for the position?" The
President was quite agreeable
upon my assurance, having him
self a good opinion of young Roose-
welt. Within a few days the an
nouncement was made that Frank
lin D. Roosevelt was to carry on
a Roosevelt tradition by becoming
Assistant Secretary of the Navy
after service in the New York
Legislature. Perhaps Franklin
thought that as Uncle Ted" or
Cousin Ted" had gone from the
Legislature and Assistant Secre-
tary of the Navy to the Governor
ship of New York and to the Presi-
dency, history might repeat itself.
Youths thoughts are long, on 6
thoughts, and if that was his day.
dream, we have witnessed one big
dream that came true. AS soon as
pioneer ~Progressives in the New
York Legislature were able to pre-
vent all the water power in the
rivers of New York state going into
the hands of the utility combina-
ion, the new Assistant Secretary
took up his duties in Washington,
joining hands with the President
and the Secretary of the Navy in
securing as the years passed au-
thorization for creating the most
adequate Navy in the world. en-
bracing a two-ocean Navy, which
was created in 1920, and is now
being recreated after being allowed
to fall into %innocuous 6esuetude
during the years following Wilson'S
administration.
1 have always believed in true
Senatorial courtesy, snd I asked
the advice and consent of the New
York Senators to the confirmation
of the Assistant Secretary. Roose-
welt had led the movement in the
New York Legislature which made
, possible the election of Judge
O'Gorman to the United States
Senate. O'Gorman approved h e
selection. ut is satisfactory to
me-" said Senator Root, and he
added: But you know these Roose-
velts. They have a way of wishing
to be the lead horse in any team.
Have you thought Franklin might
exhibit that trait?" I replied that
I would not wish an assistant who
lacked initiative and was not am
bilious to carry his part of the load,
and that no man was worthy to be
the chief who doubted his capacity
to cooperate and rely upon his as
s%ociate to be a real partner in the
adventure. Very WE'LL" said Root,
with a smile, after volunteering to
support his confirmation in the SEN
ate, 'he is a fine young fellow, not
of my party, but I know the Roose-
velts. I have warned you what you
may expect"
For the seven and one-half years
we worked in double harness, in
peace mad war, I found him able,
resourceful and efficient, some
times a little more militant than
the occupant of the White House
or the head of the Navy Depart
ment, but in the essential of fash
Ill Inninr - Nav, 1,,-1- --