Evening star., 1944-06-23


No disposition 10 treat these anti
Roosevelt demonstrations lightly or
to laugh them of Ia evinced at all.
On: the contrary, with typical heavy
handedness, a campaign OF denun-
citation and disparagement appears
to be under way.
In one quarter 1t is asserted that
the men behind the movement are
poor white trash" or words to that
effect. In another, it is declared
they are directed and inspired by
'rich Northern industrialists." At
the same time, solemn warnings are
given of the dire personal conse-
quences if this outrageous and un-
holy business of registering opposi-
tion to Mr.. Roosevelt Is continued.
These things, which considerably
more than border on the silly, have
stimulated rather than depressed
the revolt" Notwithstanding the
abuse. there is every prospect it will
be continued. and despite the warm
ings. the indications are that 1t will
grow somewhat before the con-
vention meets.
Virginia Yet to Act.
For example, Virginia has not YET
acted and whether Senator Byrd
permits his own State to put his
name up or not, 1t is quite certain
that the delegation will be against
a fourth term as 1t was against
third term. In addition. several
other States are "uninstructed" and
nearly one-third Of the Florida dele
CATION will be anti Roosevelt.
Now. no one thinks that these
demonstrations of distaste for Mr..
Roosevelt in the South will block
his denomination at Chicago. Nor
that the conference of antifourth-
term Democrats to be held there
before the convention meets can
produce a candidate with any
chance of success.
ANY President who chooses to use
the administration weight can force
his denomination. For q President
with the sort of political hookup Mr..
Roosevelt has with the big city ma
chimes, coupled with the vast in
crease in the number of obligated
Federal job holders, little personal
effort is required. All he has to do
is nod.
The futility of trying to prevent
his denomination is clear. But that
isn't the point of the Southern
revolt" The point is that 1t makes
1t impossible for the President to
secure a denomination by acclama-
ton. It makes 1t more absurd to
pretend that he is drafted" than
1t was in 1910. 1t completely nulli-
fies the idea that he is the choice
of united party.
And that is the thing that en-
RACES the fourth-term promoters
rather than the danger to our elec-
toral system, because that dimin-
ishes the chances Of election. Unless
there is reasonable semblance OF
unity about the draft" the No
vember prospects are not good.
Seen rs Significant
In brief, the opposition to Mr.
Roosevelt in the South is clearly of
sufficient force and strength to be
significant. One might think it
would cause Mr.. Roosevelt to pause
and reflect. For. even should he be
Reelected, 1t seems clear that the
Congress, II not actually controlled
by the Republicans, certainly would
be hostile to him. And that would
make a very bad situation indeed.
It is true the resentment in the
South is largely due to the manner
In which Mr.. Roosevelt has coddled
the Negro vote in the big Northern
States, but there are other contrib
uting reasons. One is the degree
to which the CIO has taken over
the management of the fourth
term effort and the completeness
Of its support by the radical groups
including the Communists.
1t is unreasonable to think that.
to some extent at least, this anti
Roosevelt feeling In the South is
not reflected In other sections. For
one thing, the polls show this to be
true. For another, the "accumula- =
ton of resentments," which is al
ways a factor to be reckoned with
against a candidate who has been a
long time In q big job, makes it
inevitable.
War or no war, 1t would be sur
prising should Mr.. Roosevelt enter
this campaign as strong as he was
four years ago. Hardly anyone dis
agrees about that. Even those who
believe he win be reelected con-
cede it will be harder fight. But
Mr.. Roosevelt Is not told that by
his friends and aides. He is not, Of
course, in position clearly to SCI