The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1944-05-11

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One of the remarkable facts about
current life In America is the deep and
bitter hatred of the President in some
sections of the South.
There is an unreasoning character
about this opposition that somehow
battles analysis. 1t aims itself at any
one who supports the President.
| A representative of a candidate op-
posing Roosevelt supporter said,
we're trying to elect white man."
| Perhaps that remark Illustrates the
whole feeling. And this candidate, op-
posing the Roosevelt supporter, has
made not single statement or princi-
pie or policy on any important issue.
The situation deserves more atten-
tion and study than it is getting.
Opposition to the President on policy
is Understandable. Opposition out Of
unreasOning hate is not understand
able, unless and until the reason can
be dug up. Up to now that reason isn't
in evidence.
You can get variety of reasons
which implies that perhaps none Of
the ones you get Is the real one.
You hear that it's the race issue
Negroes You hear that it's bureauc-
racy. You hear that is the fourth
term.
You do NOT hear that it's because
the war isn't going well. In fact, you
come to the conclusion that the cam
paign is leaving the war out entirely
and that somehow the war Is some
thing apart and aloof and running
along all by itself.
But one thing you can find. You can
find most Of the big business groups,
such as Associated Industries, in the
hate group. hating away with a full
head of purple steam
1t Is quite clear that In some Sec
tions you can build more hostility on
hate than you can build on reason.
One radio commentator whose words
go coast to coast has sought to make
1t appear that the Montgomery Ward
case may become cause celebre,
bringing dire loss Of votes to the Presi-
dent and his friends, but among the
ordinary folks that case doesn't seem
to arouse much interest.
The Supreme Court decision giving
Negroes the right to vote in the Texas
Democratic primaries is given as the
cause of some of the hate.
lut tn
matters The hate began long before
the Supreme Court got around to its
decision in the Texas case.
The South is doing and will do lot
of voting AGAINST the President,
rather than FOR something or some
one. Hate is a very negative thing and
never was it more so than today.
Perhaps wartime restrictions con-
tribute something to the hate. But they
are not the seed although they are
perhaps part Of the soil in which
the seed grew so Justify.
There doesn't seem to be any differ
ance in degree between the hates held
by men and the hates held by women.
If the man of the family hates
Roosevelt it is most unusual for the
woman to hold different view
There Is one distinguishable factor.
The older they are the harder and
better they hate. 1t cannot be that hate
mas about it some rejuvenating elixir.
No, more likely it is corrosive. After
the hot flame subsidies, the p0ssessOr
If the hate may find that more has
)een burned up than can be replaced.
That, however, is for the scientists to
ind out.
The hard fact Is that there is a sur
passing hate in this campaign, for the
,qual of which you have to go back
many decades In our political life.
What is to come of it we do not
,now What may be its effect on the
var we cannot forsee. What was the
ap-root cause Of it may some day be
,nOwn and when that day comes the
eveation should prove interesting
md it may be that it will prove shock