The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-04-13
Today's War Casualty


 ROOSEVELT, FRANKLIN D.-COmmander-in- Chief of the armed forces of the United States at warm Springs, Georgia; residence, The White House, Washington, D. c.
 The death of President Roosevelt yes- terday afternoon was just as much casualty of the terrible war conflict as those which are daily bringing sor- row into the homes of countless Ameri- cans throughout everyone of the forty eight states. Nothing has so shocked this nation, has stilled it's vibrant voice, has evoked the universal expression of sym pathy as this tragedy. Not one of us was prepared for it, unless it was the man himself. But the United States has met similar tragedies before; it has risen from it's posture of sorrow beside the bier of a departed leader and gone onto greater triumphS That is as Franklin Roosevelt would have it.
 It shouldn't be difficult to sing requiem for 'that man in the White House.. His was life that blended itself readily to the song of the press. From the moment that he entered public life in his native New York state some thlrty-fVe wears ago his career commanded atten- ton and headlines. And yet in the hour perhaps of his greatest triumph Franklin D. Roosevelt has been summoned to another "White House., before another tribunal that he may give an account of his stewardship. We wonder at this, at the wisdom of God who takes away, just as he gives.
 What effect the death of Roosevelt is to have on the course of the world remains to be demonstrated in the days to come The United States has lost it's uotent leader, the world a force for good and peace among all nations. There could be stirring repercussionS throughout the war areas as result of this sad news were it not for the fact that in death President Roosevelt is still a command ing figure. His presence will still mani fest itself to our fighting men. His ideals, his democracy of mankind, his human ness will long permeate the thoughts of both rulers and the common people.
 Twenty-Five years ago Woodrow Wilson left the White House bitterly disillusioned because he had not brought this country into accord with others for world peace. His death shortly thereafter was certainly caused in part by heart-ache, worry, and work in the days after the 1918 ArmiStlce. Roosevelt did not live to see an armlstlce or even the capture of Berlin, the capltu- lation of Hitler. He did not taste the cup Of victory, though he may have sensed it's near approach to his lips. Bitter will this be to his friends and admirers; pro- phetic to his critics and enemies.
 Of the latter there were many. NO oresident was reviled as has been RooSe- welt: no family subjected to the scorn and the amused laughter of the multitude as the Roosevelts. And yet in death prob ah1y the wave of sympathy sweeping the world finds no obstinate Americans battl- ing this tide, pitting their dislikes and their disparagements against the onrush Of anguish and regret. World stature has a way of asserting itself; Roosevelt was,definitely moulded along these lines. The future might have made him pretty much of 8 Super-man. Perhaps 1t was Gods wisdom that foreSaw this and issued < the summons when sufficient height had been attained, leaving the rest to those of us who follow.
 There will be many marks left on this nation by Franklin D. Roosevelt that we can talk about in the days to come. Every one will fancy his own recollections and his own thoughts. But can we forget the Roosevelt of the air-waves and the news reels; the magic of the voice, the expres- sion of the face, the tilt of the cigarette holder, the gay wave of the hand in greet ing or farewell, the calm acceptance of the cane, the strong supporting hand of an aide, and latterly the wheel-chair < Superficial, of course, all this, but very much part of twelve years of Roosevelt iY1 the White House. The fourth term still remains inviolate, doesn't it? But not the third, nor the fact that man was elected four times to the presidency!
 Tomorrow Franklin D. Roosevelt will start on his last trip from the White House to Hyde Park. What relief those trips must have provided for the hardy landowner and forester in the hectic days when only domestic problems vexed the master of the White House. It was to much to expect that one mar could survive the happenings of this past decade. Aud yet we Americans had faith that Roosevelt would succeed wherC others had failed. We now hope and pray that his work will be carried on as courageouSly, .Ra- a-