Evening star., 1947-04-09

N&tlON. 4IG0 AU~
surd suggestion was echoed and In
dorsed In several quarters and with
varying degrees Of enthusiasm. It
became the fashion to write dtspAr-
agingly OF Mr.. Truman and to speak
Of him with contempt.
The country was full Of his de-
tractors and he had extremely few
defenders. In particular, he was
assailed by the professional liberals
and the left-wing journalists and
politicians OF the Roosevelt regime.
These sneeringly referred to him
as that "Poor Little Man" and with
extraordinary unanimity agreed
that he had made a dreadful botch
of his Job and ought to remove
himself. In other words they swept
the Poor Little Man" up In q
corner and struck q match to him.
Actually, it was one Of the most
wholehearted efforts to politically
bury q President while still In the
White House that has ever been
made-and quite the most unsuc-
cessful.
Tables Completely Turned.
That Mr.. Truman should survive
this fervent attempt on his politi-
cal life, participated in not only by
the Republicans but by q consid-
cradle number Of slap-happy Demo-
Gratis of the Fulbright type. to say
nothing OF the radical Roosevelt
groups, was remarkable indeed.
However, not only to survive but
to 80 completely turn the tables on
both his Democratic critics and his
Republican foes as in four months
time to have the first rushing up
on the roof to cheer him and COM
pei the latter hurriedly to drop
their attitude of derisive disdain
and openly recognize him as .
formidable 1913 contender for the
presidency, absolutely certain to be
the Democratic nominee-that is in
the nature of q real political miracle.
And yet,s that was the situation
before the Jefferson Day dinner here
on Saturday night, when Democrats
OF all factions and degrees gathered
in their annual celebration Of the
birthday Of the party's founder. It
was attested by all the latest polls,
by editorial comment all over the
country, by the posture of the poll
ticians and the reports OF objective
observers of both parties. But it
was very greatly emphasized at the
Jefferson Day dinner by the ovation
accorded Mr.. Truman when he rose
to speak and by the really fine ad-
dress which he then delivered. No
one possibly could read that speech
and believe for q moment 1t came
from q beaten or discouraged man.
There was not in 1t SO much rs q
trace of defeatism or dismay
Serene and Confident.
On the contrary, it unmistakably
conveyed the impression Of q serene
and confident man, who fully ap-
preciates the gravity of the great
problems with which he has to deal
but does not for one moment shrink
from them. Nor Is he appalled, by
the heavy responsibility they lay
upon him. Though he addressed a
strictly partisan gathering on q
strictly party occasion, his was any
thing but q partisan speech. His
reiteration and amplification OF his
foreign policy was clear, firm and
carried conviction. He dealt with
domestic affairs with admirable re-
straint and common sense. His one
mistake was in repeating some OF
the cheap claptrap with which the
Republican cuts in appropriations
those in Coast Guard
and customs funds-have been met.
But, take 1t as whole, the speech
was clear, calm. adequate and
straightforward. 1t is not exaggera-
tion to say that it has increased
the Truman prestige. The 1948 elec-
ton is still 10 months away. Mr..
Truman's popularity may sink as
swiftly as 1t has risen. Before the
end of summer he will have had to
take some positions and make some
decisions that may affect very
greatly his political prospects.
Whether he blocks or approves the
Republican effort to protect the pub
lie against the abuses Of the power
drunk labor bosses is one Of them
Or, regardless of anything he says
or does, world events may shift the
whole political scenery. This is an
uncertain and critical period in
history and no one can see very far
into the future. However, odds are
no longer being offered as they were