The Friendly Battle

This week all the major candidates were in the field. The whistles of railway engines wailed across the country and the harumphs of speakers sounded from coast to coast. As the 1948 presidential campaign began, two phenomena became apparent. One was the large crowds which turned out to cheer the dogged little man who (the polls said) couldn't win. The other was the campaign's overall amiability.

The phenomenon of Harry Truman's reception might be explained by the U.S. citizen's sympathy for the underdog, by his admiration for spunkiness, or by just plain curiosity. The other phenomenon could be explained by the agreeable mood of the country. The country was fat and happy.

Mr. Truman tried to frighten his audiences. But in unguarded moments he stood revealed as a man somewhat surprised at the violence of his own words. Essentially he was still a warm, friendly man. As a result, his speeches sounded frantic--and just a little ludicrous. The performance was interesting; but since Mr. Truman had never shown much capacity for leadership, it promised little of accomplishment.

Tom Dewey and Earl Warren pitched their speeches in organ tones. They were calm, forgiving and even humble. They both quietly stated one main issue: it was time for a new broom. There were other minor issues. But this was the big one. After 16 years of one party, it was time to clean house.

Meanwhile, there were outcries from the political fringe. Both the Dixiecrats and the Progressives, certain that they would poll sizable votes, were aroused; they were far from amiable, and the issues they raised might be serious enough to cause some permanent political realignments. But between now and election day, those minor voices would recede into a distant, thin scream which would be pretty well drowned out. The major candidates would occupy the center of the stage.

Their friendly battle--assuming that it stayed friendly--was an indication of how things were in the U.S. The major parties, never far apart ideologically, only divide violently in moments of great, inner stress. The simple and uncomplicated issue of 1948--whether or not it was time to clean house--was a good sign of a generally united U.S.

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