Smith Week

For a few days last week Republican managers thought that they had a Burchardism in Alfred Emanuel Smith's campaign speech at Newark.* There the 1928 Democratic nominee had bitterly attacked the G. O. P. as a party of "double-dealing hypocrites" who four years ago effected his defeat by masking religious bigotry under Dry fanaticism. The Smith speech reverberated through the nation. Republican scouts gleefully reported that it had helped their party in the Midwest. The Republican Press, usually friendly to the Brown Derby, loudly lamented the resurrection of 1928 ghosts. Socialist Norman Thomas expressed a widespread view: "If Al Smith makes two more speeches like that for Roosevelt, then Hoover stands a much better chance to be reelected."

The Smith outpourings also sent a shudder of dismay through Democratic headquarters. Charles Hand, oldtime Manhattan newshawk, who had been serving as Speaker Garner's political chaperon, was suddenly transferred to Mr. Smith. They were old Democratic friends. No one expected able "Charlie" Hand to muzzle Al Smith as Speaker Garner had been muzzled but Democratic headquarters counted on his discreetly steering the Brown Derby into more helpful channels.

Aboard the private car Washington Democrat Smith set out for New England and his "very beloved friends of Massachusetts." The journey was one long popular reception through the rain. At Providence Mr. Smith got off for a brief indoor address (his doctors forbid him to speak outdoors).

In the Boston Arena, packed to the rafters with his noisy admirers, Al Smith, turning from 1928 to 1932, tried to swing his faithful but disgruntled following behind the Roosevelt-Garner ticket. Putting aside rancorous memories he referred several times to his old friend "Frank Roosevelt." He admitted he was not "satisfied" with the Chicago convention but argued that the "salvation of the country" now depended upon a Democratic victory. He pounded the Republicans with sarcasm, outlawed bigotry as an issue, again & again set off thunderous applause and cheering.

Traveling west through Massachusetts from Boston, Al Smith was hailed like a conquering hero. At every stop huge crowds clustered about his car. In them was to be seen many a Catholic priest. Democrat Smith waved his brown derby but resolutely refused to speak or start handshaking. At Worcester one ardent friend snatched a cigar butt out of his hand, carried it off amid much scuffling as a souvenir.

In Albany Citizen Smith was invited by Governor Roosevelt to the Executive Mansion where he had lived for eight years. For an hour and a half they sat together on a davenport in the study, smoking and talking. Reporters were called to behold this complete reconciliation.

Press: Can we call this an old-fashioned "Frank-and-Al" get-together?

Smith: Go as far as you like. If we were a couple of Frenchmen, we'd kiss each other. As it is we have to rely on a handshake.

Press: Then all is absolute harmony?

Smith: You don't see any blood on me, do you? . . .

*Six days before the Blaine-Cleveland election of 1884, the Rev. Samuel Dickinson Burchard, Republican clergyman, referred to Democrats as the party of "Rum, Romanism and Rebellion." A resentful nation elected Cleveland to the presidency.

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