Evening star., 1945-04-13

personal charm and an unusual
ability to fathom the desires Of the
electorate, turned up unprecedented
majorities at the polls.
But it remained for the war-born
third term to test to the limit his
qualities of leadership both as
President and as an international
champion Of embattled democracy.
While Europe blazed throughout
the early months Of 1910, the great
political question here was What
about the third term?" The ad-
ministration had produced no
leader who appeared qualified In
all respects to inherit the Roosevelt
prestige and carry on the program.
If the Democrats wanted to win,
the argument ran, they would have
to draft Roosevelt"
A third-term nomination ap-
peared even more certain after the
Republicans, in convention at Phila-
delphia, chose dynamic Wendell l..
Willkie, utility executive and old
time foe of the New Deals Tennes-
see Valley Authority, to head their
1910 ticket. Senator Charles L. Nc
Nary of Oregon was his running
mate.
Does Little Campaigning
It was no surprise to anybody,
therefore, when the Democratic
national convention, meeting in
Chicago. renominated Mr.. Roose-
welt. More surprising because
hardly expected at all was Mr..
Roosevelt,s choice of his Secretary
of Agriculture, Henry Agard Wal
lace of Iowa, to be vice presidential
nominee.
Mr.. wallace was sidetracked in
1914, however, when the Democratic
National Convention selected Sena-
tor Harry Truman of Missouri for
second place on the fourth-term
ticket.
Engrossed in questions of defense
and foreign policy, Mr. Roosevelt
refrained from stumping for a
third term until the week before
election.
Mr. Willkie set campaign travel
records and he gained a greater
popular ballot total than any Re-
publican nominee ever had reg
istered. But Mr.. Roosevelt, the
"old campaigner," as he dubbed
himself, was approximately 4,000,-
900 ballots ahead, and he received
449 electoral votes to 80 for Mr.
Willkie.
President Roosevelt was the only
child of James Roosevelt anc
Sara Delano, his wife. Like his fftl
cousin, Theodore Roosevelt, the late
Chief Executive was descended from
Claes Van Roosevelt and Jannetj
Thomas, who came from Holland Il
the Dutch settlement of New Amster
dam in 1886.
The Delano clan was also eninen
In New York The family is o
Flemish origin, and it is said that MI
Roosevelt's progenitor, Philippe Del
ano. arrived at Duxbury Mass. 2
years before the Roosevelts left thei
European home Always seafarin
folk, the Delanos gave Mr. Roosevelt
q heritage of love for salt water.
Received Cleveland Blessing.
Devoted parents guided his earlies
steps. Attentive servants waited uno
his pleasure. Grover Cleveland, hi
fathers close personal friend, was bu
one of the eminent characters VIII
visited the estate and freely CAV
their blessing to the owners attrac
tive son Every one worth knowin
was glad to be received by Jane
Roosevelt and his charming wife.
Educational opportunities hkewis
came gratuitously and as matter o
course. His earliest schooling he re
ceived at home from his parents ant
from learned and competent tutors
1t is said that he was an active ant
eager scholar, with the capacity Il
absorb knowledge without great con
scious effort. Eventually, he was en-
tered at Groton Preparatory School
where he completed the ordinary six
year course in four years. He va
ready for Harvard in 1900.
\ Follows the Law.
Receiving his A. B degree In 1904
the young man was free to follow hi
prediction for the law He entere,
the Columbia University Law SchoC
the same year, and after three years
study there was admitted to the Ne,
York bar in 1907 Meantime he ha
married his cousin. his godfather
daughter and Theodore Roosevelt
niece. Anna Eleanor Roosevelt Tn
ceremony took place on March L
, 1905, and President Roosevelt CAV
the bride away. Alice Roosevelt. Mr.
Nicholas Longworth to be, was
brides maid. Five children wer
born to the couple: Anna Eleano!
who became Mrs. Curtis Dali, an
later. Mrs. John Boettiger. and fou
sons, James, Elliott, Franklin, jr
and John.
The youthful lawyer, soon afte
leaving Columbia, joined the firm {
Carter, Ledyard & Milburn. In 19l
he formed a new partnership. til
firm Of Marvin. Hooker & Roosevelt
The same year marked the beginnin
!, Of his political career.
The original inspiration towar
. politics is a subject of speculation i
Mr.. RooSevelt'S case.
1t is obvious that no Rooseve.
with wealth, legal training an
, healthy interest in public affair
! long could remain exempt from po
! litical concerns. Franklin. lik
Theodore, was born to that role i
; the drama of his country.
Hyde Park lay within the bounda
ries of a Republican domain. an
! the Democrats of the State, i
their endeavor to capture that ter
ritory, fastened on Mr.. Roosevelt
as likely captain to lead them t
victory He was nominated for Stat
Senator in the 26th district.
He promptly and effectively Sc
out to gain votes. and wherever h
. went and whenever he spoke, h
broke traditions. He even riske
the dangers of campaigning in a
automobile, then a "detested con
traption." Throughout the month
battle he had the enthusiastic sup
port of Mrs, Roosevelt, and with he