Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-04-22
By DAMON RUNYON
Copyright. 1871. King Features Syndicate. Inc
Distributed by International News Service


the truth of the matter is he is probably one of
the saddcst of men.
Mr. Roosevelt is flesh and blood and heart and
soul. He is one of the great humanitarians of
history He will be so rated in the years to come.
1t is inconceivablc that man of his mold would
not have tremendous feeling in this hour, of
the most critical ever faced by chief executive
of the United States.
1t is our guess that he prays nightly that God
give him guidance in the decisions he must make
and which will affect 130,O00O0O Americans.
MR.. ROOSEVELT is normally folksy sort of
lVl man. though he was born to money, to fine
living and to social position. He " man who
likes to laugh, who enjoys good story, who
dabblcs in stamps and ship models a hobby, who
finds pleasure III putting on old clothes, and gong
fishing. and who smokes cigarets by the dozens,
and gives his pals odd nicknames, and who loves
10 see those around him happy and contented.
He is still able to turn his familiar rcassuring
and warming smile on his people on occasion, but
within him his heart must be as heavy as lead. Ii
IS not in human nature that normal man could
contemplate the dismal prospects of the days
ahead without forcboding and sorrow and Mr..
Roosevelt is one of the mOSt.cOmplete human dOcu-
ments the world has ever known. If the fellow in
the street feels depressed, how must Mr. Roosevelt
feel!
we Illnk II cruel ana UNJUST 10 suggest llaI
Mr. Roosevelt wants to lead his people INTO war,
which is the constant cry of his critics Why would
he! He knows the horror of war He has
the devastated cities and the homeless women and
children and the crippled and blind men that result
of war. His would be III the fighting line
with the sons of his old neighbors and friends and
the sons of the little people he loves.
LIE HAS manifested that love time and again.
1 1 I'm return the people have given him the great
est distinction bestowed upon in the
history of the republic. What wicked thing it
is to say that kindly man like Mr.. Roosevelt
would want to sacrifice the lives of these people
in war.
We think that any one who believes that Mr..
Roosevelt would wantonv betrav the confidence
of the people is fool, but too many forget that
this confidence imposes upon him certain RESPONSE
bilites first and foremost of which is the preserva
ton of our free life.
And with this threatened us it is, Mr.. Roose-
welt would be derect in the oath he took in the
of His Maker 10 defend the Constitution Of
the United States did he not take steps to avert
the threat wherever those steps might lead. He
would stand before the bar of history in
competent and traitor to the American ideals and
to humanity.
That is why today he occupies the most trying
position of any man alive, probably torn by con-
flicting emotions and his days darkened by dread
1t is strange that his critics that this greatest
of human beings must be suffering in his hour of trial.
WELL, going to have little bet on Mr.. Roose-
Wv welt to win the for Britain without getting
involved in actual hosities We admit that this looks
like hard trick to perform but have seen him
compish miracles before and this may be another In
event. have always found it good idea to string with
the champion until he loses one
1t is said that from the White House he the
majestic pile raised to the memory of another whose
life made sorrowful by the burdens placed upon him
when he was president and possby as he views that
tribute of great people to of its great leaders, Mr.
Roosevelt finds comfort and courage in the words of
Abraham Lincoln:
"Let us have faith that right makes might; and In
that faith let to the end dare to do duty
understand it."