Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-04-01
The Political Mill:
Truman Move to Force
Shift in 6. O.P. THINKING
Republicans Now Are Facing
Tougher Election Bottle
By Gould Lincoln

bVUSuSs 6aSStlOU Quite
By Gould Lincoln
President Truman's now historic dec.
laration that he shall not be q candi.
date" and shall not accept" renomina-
ton has changed in the twinkling of
an eye the personnel, the field of battle,
and to some degree the issues in the
coming presidential contest with the
Republicans.
Gone is the threat made by many
Democrats and independents who for
merly supported Mr.. Truman, to the
effect that: "Ill never vote again for
that man." Nor is it likely that this
personal opposition can or will be trans
ferred to the Democratic presidential
nominee, whether he be q Stevenson Of
Illinois, Kefauver of Tennessee, a Kerr
of Oklahoma or a Williams of Michigan.
In fact, the Republicans may have to
reorient their political thinking and
campaigning completely. And also. the
battle which the Republicans will con-
front may be greatly more difficult.
Party Bolt Could Be Halted.
It is easily conceivable that the Demo-
Gratis, meeting in national convention
next July, will be able to unite their
party. They may be able to bring back
into the fold the Southern Democrats.
The Southerners have been prepared.
under the leadership of Senator Russell
of Georgia. not only to resist President
Truman's denomination, but also to take
away from him, in the event of his NOM
nation, that great block Of Southern
presidential electors who have played
major parts in electing Democratic
Presidents. Such bolt may be deemed
entirely unnecessary by Russell sup
porters-although they have said that
the selection Of Fair Dealer who. like
Mr.. Truman, supported program for
a Federal FEPC law. would be just as
strongly resisted. But Mr.. Russell and
his friends have accomplished one de-
sired end-or rather Mr.. Truman has
accomplished it for them in his with
drawal from the race.
Further, the corruption issue, with
its mink coat symbol. has to very con-
siderable degree been eliminated from
the campaign. Mr.. Truman, as Chief
Executive, has been the particular tar
get of the Republican critics, who have
sought to smear him with the Pendergast
label. The issue will remain in the
campaign, but it will not be as strongly
personalized as it would have been II
Mr.. Truman was the Democratic noml-
nee.
Doubtless a desire for united party
will have strong effect on the action
of the Democratic National Convention.
A great difficulty will be to find candi-
date who can ride out the FEPC issue, a
Id toa coti cfo nt01xJ m fhA
South and at the same time to those
Northern delegates who insist upon
strong FEPC plank. It is possible that
Gov. Stevenson Of Illinois may fill the
bill His statement made in television
appearance on Sunday was indicative.
When asked how he stood on FEPC. Mr..
Stevenson replied that he believed the
States themselves should deal with these
civil matters; that he had sponsored an
FEPC law in the Illinois Legislature.
He added that If the States did not deal
properly with such an issue, then the
Federal Government would have to act.
The first part of this statement meets
the ideas of the South, and the last part
the ideas of the Illinois and other North
ern Democrats.
May Be Answer to Unity.
Indeed, Gov. Stevenson may be the
answer to the Democrats prayer for
unity in their party. The impression
is growing more and more that he will
be the selection for the presidential
nomination. He is, too, more conversant
with foreign affairs and the policies
of the United States in relations thereto
than any of the other potential NOM
inees He believes that foreign policy
should be a bipartisan affair. as the
late Senator Vandenberg, Republican. Of
Michigan believed.
Gov. Stevenson has not said he will
run for President. Neither has he closed
the door, It is entirely possible that, II
Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower is nominated
by the Republicans, he, Stevenson. might
regard the race as too difficult. in view
of Gen. Eisenhpwer's apparent great APP
peal to the voters. However. If the Demo-
cratic Party calls him, he will have no
more choice in the matter than Gov.
Dewey of New York had in 1914. In that
year the New York Governor was faced
with running against greatly popular
President, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, in
the midst of a great war. He knew he
had little chance, but he had to answer
the call of the party.