Evening star., 1952-11-04

Democratic campaign last night
rang IN short speeches from Presi-
dent Truman, Vice President
Barkley and Senator Sparkman,
Gov. Stevenson's running mate. It
was deliberately high-level per-
formance, which avoided the
hoopla and showmanship Of the
Republican effort.
Bit of Self Criticism.
In reviewing his campaign, the
Governor was not without a meas
ure of self-criticism.
Looking back" he said, "I am
not wholly content that I have
said well everything that was in
my heart. I am not sure that ]
have kept all of our concerns in
proper balance and perspective. ]
am not sure that have made my
views on all of our concerns as
clear and precise as I would have
liked"
But he had. without evasion.
tried Ito talk sensibly. honestly.
candidly tried to explain the
issues as I see them and the
records Of the parties tried
to educate"
He recalled the many occasions
when he had said the unpopular
thing in the name of talking sense
the tidelands oil issue in Texas,
labor in Detroit, the denunciation
of Nevada's Democratic Senator
McCarran. the lecture to the
American Legion on citizenship,
the lecture on civil rights in Rich
mond.
TN these and many other cases
there were those who pointed to
their perils and urged another
course" the Governor said. "Ihat
would have been easy-but I
would not feel as good as I do,
sitting here tonight on election
eve"
The speech, of course, was net
without political content. There
was an obvious implied compari-
son between Gov. Stevenson &
campaign and that Of his Repub-
lican opponent. The G. o. p, as
the party Of fear" and "inac-
tion," came in for a last-minute
once-over. Both prosperity and
Korea were discussed briefly.
In these closing paragraphs the
appeal rose above immediate po-
litical considerations to include
liberal and progressive elements
in both parties.
The way 1t worked out, Gov.
Stevenson didn't deliver the main
part Of his speech until an hour
after the Democratic program
ended. He started so slowly that
he ran out of time and was cut
off the air with several paragraphs
to 60. However, the Governor re-
turned to the air at midnight-at
the end of an hour long Repub-
lican program and completed
his speech.
Plea for Sportsmanship.
Here is the end of the Cover
nor's speech:
Il have asked for your support
OF my candidacy. I ask you now
for support of our common faith
in this country. The confidence
we've inherited is our greatest
wealth. the source of our strength.
Whatever the electorate de-
cides, I ask that we close our ears,
once and for all, to the cowardly
voices of hate and fear and suspi-
cion which would destroy us-that
we dedicate. ourselves, that trust
in each other, on which the great
ness of our country rests. For,
believe me, the future of the world
depends on it.
Tomorrow, you will make your
choice. I urge every eligible Amer
ican to exercise the greatest privi-
lege bestowed upon us-the right
to participate in deciding his own
destiny.
If your decision is Gen. Eisen-
hover and the Republican Party,
I shall ask every one who voted
for me to accept the verdict with
traditional American sportsman
ship. If you select me I shall ask
the same of the Republicans, and
I shall ask our Lord to make me