Monday, November 12, 2012

Unpublished FDR Letter to Democratic Party, 1940


Supposedly, FDR came close to refusing the 1940 nomination, all over party direction: progressive vs Luddite (not just liberal/conservative). (It's a great letter, so it's reprinted here.)

Franklin D. Roosevelt Letter to the Democratic Convention

July 18, 1940

Members of the Convention:

In the century in which we live, the Democratic Party has received the support of the electorate only when the party, with absolute clarity, has been the champion of progressive and liberal policies and principles of government.

The party has failed consistently when through political trading and chicanery it has fallen into the control of those interests, personal and financial, which think in terms of dollars instead of in terms of human values.

The Republican Party has made its nominations this year at the dictation of those who, we all know, always place money ahead of human progress.

The Democratic Convention, as appears clear from the events of today, is divided on this fundamental issue. Until the Democratic Party through this convention makes overwhelmingly clear its stand in favor of social progress and liberalism, and shakes off all the shackles of control fastened upon it by the forces of conservatism, reaction, and appeasement, it will not continue its march of victory.

It is without question that certain political influences pledged to reaction in domestic affairs and to appeasement in foreign affairs have been busily engaged behind the scenes in the promotion of discord since this Convention convened.

Under these circumstances, I cannot, in all honor, and will not, merely for political expediency, go along with the cheap bargaining and political maneuvering which have brought about party dissension in this convention.

It is best not to straddle ideals.
In these days of danger when democracy must be more than vigilant, there can be no connivance with the kind of politics which has internally weakened nations abroad before the enemy has struck from without.

It is best for America to have the fight out here and now.

I wish to give the Democratic Party the opportunity to make its historic decision clearly and without equivocation. The party must go wholly one way or wholly the other. It cannot face in both directions at the same time.

By declining the honor of the nomination for the presidency, I can restore that opportunity to the convention. I so do.



2 comments:

wilwon32 said...

Readers who are interested in FDR may find some interesting insights into his biography as recorded in his personal papers which were utilized by Antony C Sutton who wrote the 1975 book "Wall Street and FDR" (available at Amazon). AC Sutton was educated in the England and Germany (U Southampton, D Sc) and he later taught economics as the U Calif at L A in the middle part of the 20th centruy. He was affiliated with the Hoover Inst for a while, but discontinued after learning that the PTB did not really appreciate his writings which turned out to be more than a bit controversial. However, his books about Wall St, FDR, and the variety of US industries which invested in the USSR (his 1986 book titled "The Best Enemy Money Can Buy").
Sutton's Wikipedia entry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antony_C._Sutton
provides insights which anyone who has an interest in American history might find enlightening.

Roger Erickson said...

thanks much, Wilwon32.
Will look him up.

Why didn't we learn all this stuff in highschool?

It's a travesty.