The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1952-08-27
Presidential
Race
BY The Associated Press

Gov. Adlai Stevenson in effect
launched his campaign today with
fighting speech that blasted Com.
munism as ''the death of the soul''
and called for a strong national
defense.
The Democratic presidential
nominees address before the
American Legion convention in
New York was his first major adj
dress since his nomination, and
touched off his initial big drive for
votes in the East.
It temporarily took the political
spotlight away from his political
opponent, Gen. Dwight D. Eisen-
hover, who spoke before the same
convention two days ago and who
today announced his first big cam
paign trip-a visit to IA cities in
10 states, starting Sept. 2
The major theme of Stevenson's
prepared address was patriotism,
with plea for freedom of thought,
a warning to veterans not to ex-
ert too much pressure on him with
excessive" demands if he is elect
ed, and a surprise, thinly yelled
blast obviously aimed at Sen. Jo-
seph Mccarthy (R.-Wis.).
These were the highlights of Ste
venSon's speech:
1. The United States must build
up a strong national defense. But
its power should be used with re-
straint to promote freedom, JUS
tice and peace in the world.
2. Communism is a threat, but
over-zealous patriots are threaten
ing freedom of thought in their
efforts to wipe it out. Communist
Thought police" Do not, he said,
''burn down the barn to kill the
rats"
3. 1--WE are rapidly becoming a
nation of veterans and ''if we
were all to claim a special re-
ward who would be left to
pay?" He said he would resist
pressures from veterans or any
other organization If he felt they
were excessive.
4. The attackers of Gen. George
G.. Marshall are hiding under. a
cloak of patriotism-"The last ref
uge of scoundrels. Although he
name, he left no doubt that the
Wisconsin senator was one of his
main targets.
Mccarthy has accused Marshall,
former secretary of state and for
mer secretary of defense, of being
party to a plot against the security
of his own country. Stevenson said
such an attack on Marshall was
a shocking example" of the type
of patriotism" he warned against.
Following his Legion address.
Stevenson scheduled talk before
a Democratic rally at Asbury,
Park, N. j., and a series of con-
ferences with party leaders in both
New York and New Jersey.
,Eisenhower's first major CAM
paign tour will be launched with
Sept. / address in New York.
The following day he heads South,
with stops at most big cities in
the South. Eisenhower's advisers
say they believe he has a chance
to carry some of the additionally
Democratic strongholds.
Hampshire, who visited the gener-
al Tuesday, said, There is a fight
ing chance for him in three or four
states. He named Texas, Florida.
Virginia and perhaps Tennessee. +"
Eisenhower speaks Sept. 2 at At
lanta, Ca, Jacksonville and Mi.
ami and on Sept. 3 at Tampa,
Birmingham, Ala, and Little
Rock, Ark.
Then he swings up through the
Midwest, and returns to New York
Sept. 10.
After two or three days in New
York, aides said, he would begin
an even longer whistle stop tour,
the route of which has not been
fixed. It is during this second trip
that he might confer with Sen.
Robert A. Taft of Ohio, whom he
defeated for the nomination, anc
whose support is now sought for
party unity.
Stevenson's headquarters il
Springfield, H.. also announced
plans for a 7,6O0-mile plane-train
Western campaign tour for the
Democratic candidate. II is SEIZED
uled to begin at Denver Sept. 5
where Stevenson will give a tele,
vised speech after meeting with
supporters from ii Western states
After speech at KasSon. Mimi,
Sept. 6, he will fly into Wyoming
and Montana. then on to Oregon
Washington, South through Cali