Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-02-17
The Political Min
Stevenson Is Still Tops
With Most Democrats
He Likely Will Assume
Major Role in "a and IS
The Political Mill
By Gould Lincoln

By Gould Lincoln
Adlai Stevenson has taken up the
load Of minority party leadership. His
address in New York and the acclaim
accorded him in Washington leave no
doubt Of the part he is expected to play,
first in the campaign Of 1854 and later,
in 1856. He is to be the spark plug Of
the Democratic Party-the man to
point up the issues against the Repub-
ican administration. He wasted no
time. While he spoke glowing words
about what the Democrats should do to
uphold the hands Of President Eisen-
hower-as long as the President Is
right-Mr. Stevenson undertook to
sink dagger in the government by
businessmen" the kind of administra-
ton which Eisenhower has set up. His
theory is, Of course, that such Gov
eminent will not be in the interest of
all the people-but rather In the in.
terest of big business.
The Subtle Rapier.
The former Democratic presidential
candidate does not use club. He is far
too subtle. His chief weapon is rapier-
like wit, combined with sarcasm. This
was his technique during the campaign
Of 1852, in which he earned for him.
self the title Of the most interesting and
entertaining political speaker of tbs
day. His speech in New York followed
Identical lines. Obviously, If the Dem.
ocratic presidential nomination is to
depend upon ability to speak-Steven.
son is the 1856 candidate of the DEM
Ocratic Party. Mr.. Stevenson has other
qualities which entitle him to serious
consideration for the presidency. But
it is this speaking ability which has
endeared him to countless thousands
of Democrats. He has way with
crowds-and so had the late william
Jennings Bryan, great orator of his
day-called the Great Commoner. Mr..
Bryan was three times nominated for
President by the Democrats-and three
times defeated.
Stevenson Is Favorite.
If the party nomination were set for
tomorrow, however, Stevenson would
undoubtedly be the overwhelming
choice. despite his recent defeat at the
polls. It's entirely improbable he could
be elected in another and immediate
contest with Eisenhower, but the situa-
ton may be entirely different three
and half years from now. In that time
new issues will crop up. Before the end
OF the period, Mr.. Stevenson will have
become further and further removed
from the anti-Truman blight which
descended upon him. He will not be
faced again with swallowing everything
that President Truman had done and
with carrying the burden of an admin
iStration Smeared with Internal Reve-
nue., fve-percenter and other scandals.
not to mention the mink-coat touch.
Whether the Democrats of the South
will feel more kindly to Mr.. Stevenson
in 1856 than they did in the fall Of 1852
is guess. Probably not. if President
Eisenhower, for whom millions Of
Southern Democrats voted, makes good
as Chief Executive. The Southerners,
however, got rid of Mr.. Truman-their
chief target in the election of 1852.
This accomplishment may make them
look more favorably on Stevenson, il
there seems good chance for victory.
It's still gamble, however. AS Of today.
no other Democrat looks real chal.
lenger for the presidential nomination.
Only two might have any extensive fol-
loWlng-the three times Governor Of
Michigan, Mennen Williams, and Sena-
tor Estes Kefauver of Tennessee. who
was runner-up to Stevenson in the ma.
tlonal convention of 1852. Mr.. Steven.
son. according to present plans, will
soon take off on four-and-a-half-
month trip around the world. The last
two unsuccessful Republican candidates
for President, Willkie and Dewey, made
trips, particularly into the Far East
and Willkie visited Soviet Russia and
made a report to the then President
Roosevelt. Perhaps President Eisen-
hover will ask Mr.. Stevenson to give
him the benefit Of his global observa.
lions, too.
Hard to DislOdge.
At present, Mr.. Stevenson's friends
control the Democratic National Com.
mittee. with Stevenson's selection. Ste
phen A. Mitchell, as chairman. There
has been talk that Mr.. Mitchell may be
superseded-and some suggestion that
the party has suffered from lack of
funds under his leadership. He has
done a lot Of recognizing Of the COM
mittee'S personnel and activities-and
says hatly he has no intention Of get
ting out. With Stevenson as q hacker
and Stevenson's present popularity-it
would be difficult for any group OF
Democrats to dislodge Mitchell.