HOOVER’S ATTACK

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 152, 12 June 1936, Page 5

HOOVER’S ATTACK

Solemn Exhortation To Republicans WILDLY CHEERED By Telegraph—Press Assn—Copyright CLEVELAND, June 10. The appearance of Mr Herbert Hoover at the Republican convention hall introduced the first genuine ingredient of excitement to the convention and, after the delegates had cheered him to the echo for 15 minutes, he launched a harsh and bitter attack on the New Deal and made a solemn exhortation to Republicans to come to the rescue of the nation.

“In this room rests the greatest responsibility that has como to a body of Americans in three generations. To some peoplo the New Deal appears to be a strange interlude in American history because it has no philosophy, because it is sheer opportunism, because it is a muddle of the spoils system, emotional economies, reckless adventure, unctuous claims to a monopoly of human sympathy, greed lor power ana desire for popular acclaim.

“Tthat is not a charitable view. To other people it appears to be a cold-blooded attempt by starry-ejed boys to infect the American people by a mixture of European ideas flavoured with the old native predilection to get something for nothing. For the first time in the history of America we have beard a gospel of class hatred preached from White House. That is human poison far deadlier than fear, and every reader of the history of democracy knows that it is the final rock on which till democracies have been wrecked."

It was evidence of the startling lieb of picturesque or vital leaders in the Republican Party that the convention rallied so strongly to Mr Hoover. It has not had anyone to cheer so far, and there is little prospect of having anyone, for, although during the day and night the strength of Mr Landon continued to grow by additional State delegations indicating their intention to vote for him, it is a commonly acknowledged fact that he is virtually an unknown figure in his own party. He has said little and has repeatedly declined to make any declaration of opinion on controversial issues and, beside the fact that his personal fortpue comes from the petroleum business, there is scant information available as to his background. As for Senator Borah, ho has not even appeared at the convention, so far being content to remain in his hotelroom dickering for support or making threats.

Thus, to convention delegates and even spectators, Mr Hoover represented a cause, even if it is a lost one.

As ho, completed bis speech, a heavy thunderstorm outside caused the steel rafters of the hall to crackle ominously and give startling emphasis to his concluding words; “Republicans and fellow Americans this is your call. Retreat in a chaos of doubt, confusion .and fear: No; yours is the task to command, turning th.e eyes of your tellowAmericans to the sunlight of freedom and leading the attack to retake and reman the citadels of liberty. Thus can America be preserved, thus cun the opportunity of inheritance and the spiritual future of your children be guaranteed, and thus can you win the gratitude of posterity and be able to sing to Almighty God.’’