General and Governor
A great deal may yet happen before November 4th, but the course of the American Presidential campaign so far has already justified one conclusion. There is going to be no easy voyage for the Republican candidate. Of his sincerity and highmindedness there is no question. But few would be disposed to credit his supporters as a whole with those qualities. And when it comes to political judgement Governor Stevenson, equally sincere and highminded, has a heavy advantage. He would never have made the mistake into which General Eisenhower, badly advised by his presumptive Secretary of State, Mr. Dulles, fell in talking of liberating the various territories in Europe and Asia over which Russia has extended her domination. Nothing could have provided better matter for Communist denunciation of " American aggres- sion " or caused more concern to Americans anxious for the restoration of peace, not the extension of war. "Patriotism," Mr. Stevenson declared, as first reaction to the Eisenhower speech, " is not hatred of Russia; it is love of the liberty of men and mind in which it was born," and it was on the basis of that liberty that the Governor was able to appeal effectively to the negroes in the north, while the General was holding unexpect- edly successful meetings among the whites of Georgia and other southern States. And in denouncing the Taft-Hartley Act (even though President Truman invoked it reluctantly during the recent steel dispute) he wad proposing to free Labour from what it considers a shackle. With President Truman making at least as much ground for Governor Stevenson as the Governor can for himself the odds at the moment are definitely in the Democratic candidate's favour.
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