Milford chronicle., 1952-08-01
REPUBLICANs MUsT FIGHT

The first thing General Eisenhower did
after witnessing his victory on TV was to
call on Senator Taft. The significance of this
goes beyond the gracious gesture factor.
For, if there is to be Republican victory
next November, it is clear that there must
be far more unity within the party than
exists now The wounds that were inflicted
before and during the convention are deep
and painful. 1t is General EisenhOwer's
difficult task to heal them.
Senator Taft made the generous response
that was expected of him, by saying he would
do everything in his power to help the COP
candidate win, and to help him afterwards
as President No one doubts that Taft will
do exactly this, to the limit of his very great
capabilities. But many of the Taft men,
and to a greater extent the hard core of
Macarthur men, have demonstrated very
different attitude.
Their anger, it is true, is not directed so
much at Eisenhower as it is at those who
managed his campaign and fought to VIC
tOriOus conclusion without giving or asking
quarter-notably, Governor Dewey. Many
think Eisenhower could not have beaten
Taft without the enormously skillful work
of Dewey and the Dewey lieutenantS from
New York. Only about two weeks before the
cOnvening of the convention it was evident
that the Generals political star was sinking
and it was then that what amounted to an
SOS was sent to the Governor What he
accomplished deserves a permanent place
in political history. He demonstrated again
what even his bitterest enemies have long
admitted-that when the Grips are finally
down in a tough political game, no one plays
his cards better
1t may be that one of the major Repub-
lican assets is, in sense, a negative one.
In informed party circles, there is none of
the blind confidence that characterized the
1948 campaign and led to the debace. And
there is every reason, despite the great per-
sOnal appeal of Eisenhower, why this should
be the case. 1t is probably true that almost
everybody likes Ike. His is a remarkable
success story in the old American tradition,
and he caps it off with as warm and en-
gaging a personality as anyone could ask
for. AT the same time, this is not enough to
assure or even make probable his election
The Democrats have great advantages. They
lead the Republicans by a wide margin in
registrations. For 20 years they have dem
onstrated an ability to attract most of the
independent voters who hold the balance of
power. If he is to win, Eisenhower must get
virtually 100 per cent of the regular Repub-
lican vote, substantial majority of the in
dependent vote, and some of the registered
Democratic vote. That is a large order. It
will take real campaigner and real cam
paign on the part Of all concerned to accom-
pliSh it.
EisenhOwer's success at Chicago was, in
large measure, based on the thought that he
alone of the possible candidates could lift.
inspire, and gain the confidence and support
of the masses of voters. The reason for this
was well expressed in a Wall Street Journal
editorial "Many Americans have Thought
of Mr.. Eisenhower as their President be-
cause he seems to express and embody that
for which their hearts hunger. He is a man
who in cynical age does not fear to believe
in simple things, who holds to the COPY book
nlaxims. He talks sincerely of love of coun-
try. He is proud of its past and believes in
tensely that its future lies in adhering to the
traditions that made it great"
That, very likely, is Candidate Eisen-
hower's greatest single asset
5000
is THERE A TYPICAL" AMERICANA
After the punishment of two solid weeks
of national political convention oratOrv
most of it bigoted, blatant, boastful, some
OF it sly and cynical, and all of it devoiC
OF the generosity that makes human feI
lowship possible, and hence puts man above