Evening star., 1954-10-31
Do Stevenson Crowds Total 1855?
By Mary McGrory


Adlai Stevenson, the unlikely
politician who battles the coun-
try by talking to every man as
his equal, must be himself a
rather baffled man today.
Everywhere he went in his
Eastern swing on behalf of the
Democratic congressional ticket,
he was greeted warmly-with re-
spect from the politicians and
enthusiasm from the people.
Local candidates knocked
themselves out to be photo
graphed with him. Large crowds
gathered to listen to him, and
heard him out with a raptness
that would make any other pub.
lie speaker dizzy with a sense of
power
Mr.. Stevenson must be Won
dering what it all means a FOR
one thing it obviouslyeindicates
that the professional politicians
regard him as a candidate in
1856. 50 : 8.
But are the crowds and the
applause for Stevenson the poll
tieian or for Stevenson the ora
tor?
Gets Grudging Tribute.
Even the Republicans acknow-
ledge Mr.. Stevenson's gifts as
a speaker. This reporter, while
touring with the Stevenson en-
tourage, met one stalwart Els
enhower supporter who said of
MIR Stevenson with some bitter
ness: That guy-every time he
opens his mouth he says the
right thing"
The reception he is getting is
probably causing Mr.. Stevenson
to remember the crowds of 1852,
who cheered his thrusts at the
Republicans and laughed at all
his jokes.
The crowds of 1854 are just as
appreciative. It is just because
they appreciate some one who
does not talk down to them. and
who tells them. in the face of
slogan-makers that life is not so
simple. Do they just enjoy hear
ing the English language used
meticulously and spoken care
fully. in an era of sloppy mono
syllables and slovenly diction?
Do they come as Americans of
an earlier generation, thirsty for
lofty. prose and anxious to i'm
prove themselves, thronged to
hear Ralph Waldo Emerson?
Does the fact that they listen
to him mean they would vote
for him?
5000 Workers Listen.
In Wood Ridge, N. j., the other
day. some 5000 workers at an
aircraft factory took time out to
hear Mr.. Stevenson. He was
speaking from a little stand in
the yard of the plant. Fifteen
local hopefuls. wanting to be seen
with him, had to be banished
from a shaky platform.
Mr.. Stevenson. upon his ar
rival and upon his introduction,
got more applause than either
Governor Meyner, the first Demo-
crat to hold that Office in New
Jersey in many years. or Rep
resentative Charles WELL
counted a sure winner for the
Senate.
The speaker, wryly reminding
his audience he had lost Bergen
County by 10000 votes, said it
almost made him wish he were
running for some Office.
He then gave a witty talk about
the campaign. He said he re-
gretted that "the dialogue of
democracy had to conclude on
such an unhappy, unconstruc-
tice and evil note" He made
them laugh by saying he couldn't
blame President Eisenhower for
not reaQlng vice FfeSlQenC NIX
on'S speeches.
"A Man Like Stevenson"
The speech lasted less than
five minutes. The workers had
used about three-quarters Of an
hour of their own time for the 4
occasion. They did not know
whether they would be docked
for it or not.
One workman was asked II he
thought it would be worth it.
Certainly" he said quietly.
"You don't get o chance to hear
Q man like Stevenson every day."