Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-12-05
Stevenson to Play Lesser Role
As Democratic Party Leader;
Butler Selected as Chairman
Needs More Time
For Private Affairs,
He Tells Leaders
By Gould Lincoln
Stor Sioff Correspondent


ssar Stoff Correspondent
NEW ORLEANS. Dec. q
Adlai Stevenson. the Democratic
party's titular head and its 1858
presidential candidate, warned
leading Democrats tonight that
he would have less time for party
activities in the future.
Mr.. Stevenson, a d dressing
close to 1000 persons at $780,
a-plate dinner, explained that
personal affairs" would be the
cause of his inability to give as
much time to the party as he
has in the past two years.
The party leader, who played
an active part in the 1854 cam
paign which resulted in the
Democrats recapturing control of
Congress, recently returned to
the private practice of law.
New Foreign Policy Approach.
The reference to his personal
plans was made by Mr.. Steven
son at the conclusion of a speech
in which he called for new
approach to foreign policy which
will remove that issue from party
politics.
In the speech, he pledged that
Democrats will not encroach on
President Eisenhower's executive
powers, but he said Republicans
can expect honest criticism" If
they inject politics into foreign
policy.
After he completed his pre-
pared address, he said:
Nov that we are off the air.
] hope--I should like to add a
personal word"
Then he went on to say: "As
In the past, I have no political
ambitions except to serve the
party and America"
More Time for Personal Affairs.
He said that for two years he
had met these obligations to the
party and the millions of per-
sons who supported him.
1T was glorious experience" -
he said. But must devote more
time to my personal affairs"
He added that II he could not
devote as much time to party
affairs as in the past, it meant
no ingratitude on his part "for
the encouragement you have
given me in the last two years."
In his speech, the man whom
President Eisenhower defeated
two years ago, said to the Presi-
dent: May God grant you the
fortitude, the forbearance and
the wisdom to lead a united Ma
ton toward our goal of peace
and security for all peoples"
Il am confident" Mr.. Steven
son told his audience, that !
speak out not only for you, the
leaders Of our great and trium-
plant Democratic party, but also
for all my fellow Americans"
Mr.. Stevenson did not, how
ever, hesitate to criticize the for
eign policy of the Eisenhower ad-
ministration, which he insisted
had the effect of alternating our
allies abroad and of dividing the
American people.
Hits Smear Tactics.
The Presidents success in
dealing with the issues of the
day, he said, will depend more
upon his success Sin leading his
own party than upon Democratic
willingness to cooperate with
him.
IF President Eisenhower can
conclude non-aggression pact
with Senator Knowland (the Re-
publican Senate leader)." he
said, land if he can find some
means of peaceful co-existence
with a large segment of his
party, I think he will find the
Democrats easy to get along
with"
The 1852 Democratic candi-
date struck sharply at the Re-
publican smear tactics of the
recent campaign. He congratu-
lated the Democrats of the SEN
ate for their solid stand in the
condemnation of Senator Nc
earthly.
The top flight Democrats of
the country. including Governors
of States, governors-elect, men,
bers of Congress and the Demo-
cratic National Committee, gave
Mr. Stevenson a great ovation.
Twelve hundred of them and
their guests attended the victory
dinner. held in the field house
of Loyola University.
Must Accept Responsibilities.
Mr.. Stevenson began his adj
dress with the comment that
I'VE meet here to celebrate a
victory and to accept a respon-
sibility."
From that point, he laid 1t on
(See STEVENSON, Page A-7)