REPUBLICANS: Victory Parade

Like a fire-engine lolloping home from a blaze, the Landon campaign special last week retired in leisurely fashion from New England whither it had gone for the Maine election (TIME, Sept. 21). First, motoring to Nashua, N. H. to board his train, Alf Landon stopped at the roadside to buy a 25¢ basket of apples, saying tactfully, “I have heard so much about your New England apples.” Ignorantly he picked a basket of handsome Gravensteins thereby causing natives, who think their Mclntoshes tastier, to raise their eyebrows.

When he appeared on the special’s rear platform before a crowd of 3,000 at Nashua, whom should he see in the front rank of his votaries but a 2-year-old elephant, bedizened with sunflowers, bedecked with a blanket handsomely inscribed, “Susanna.” “Well,” exclaimed Mr. Landon cordially, “This is a surprise! How are you?” The crowd cheered as Susanna, lured by several lumps of sugar, finally lifted her swaying trunk to the candidatorial hand. Mr. Landon shook it heartily. Susanna snorted. Boasted Nominee Landon as his train drew out: “She knew me. I distinctly heard her say ‘Are you Alf Landon?’ ”

Riding to Worcester, Mass., Alf Landon had the company of New Hampshire’s H. Styles Bridges (see p. 15), of Massachusetts Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. (see p. 14), of Publisher Frank E. Gannett. Another publisher, Paul Block, had asked and received permission to join the nominee. As the special paused in Worcester’s railroad yards, Alf Landon appeared on the rear platform of his private car. Meanwhile, up in front trainmen had uncoupled the special’s engine and baggage car. Publisher Block, who is a great & good friend of Publisher William Randolph Hearst, had unexpectedly arrived in his private car Friendship, had given orders to have it cut into the special. Alarmed lest Democrats should make something politically unpleasant of the Block car traveling as part of the G. O. P. special, a Landon aide (whose identity was subsequently concealed) dashed across the yards to Mr. Block, told him that it was quite impossible to have his car attached to the Landon train, that private cars of other Republicans had been denied similar permission. Back into place chuffed the special’s engine and baggage car. In a huff, Publisher Block ordered Friendship attached to a regular train bound for Manhattan. After him followed a diplomatic wire from the Landon special: “Am very sorry you were unable to join my train today. . . . Hope you may be able to board my train at some future time. . . . Alf M. Landon.”

Even so, Alf Landon did not lack company. Riding along in Massachusetts he talked to Rev. Dr. Frank Buchman, leader of the Oxford Group (TIME, April 20, et seq.). Dr. Buchman discussed God and politics. When Governor Landon stepped out to address a crowd at Pittsfield, he had to show that he was on speaking terms with God. Said he:

“I wish that I might have a longer time in Pittsfield, because your town has become the permanent centre of the Oxford Movement for the practical application in our daily lives of divine guidance, which we all need so much.”

A fervid Buchmanite rushed to the platform and handed up a sheet of paper bearing a campaign song:

Governor Landon, son of the sod, Is able to govern when governed by God.

Listen to God, and He’ll give to yon His plan to see America through.

Next morning while his train was being switched from freight yard to freight yard around Chicago Nominee Landon and Manager John Hamilton congratulated each other on the Republican victory in Maine. Riding home through Illinois and Missouri, he gave the crowds who welcomed him his views on the Maine election:

“The victory parade has been started that will span the nation. It goes far beyond mere partisanship. Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike are taking part. … It is already moving Westward. . . . The American people are aroused at the waste and extravagance of their national Government. I don’t need to prove that statement to you.”

“No, you don’t!” shouted a man in the crowd.

“All of you have seen the evidences of it in your own communities. . . . Maine has stirred the entire country. And the voice of the nation will speak in November in no uncertain terms.” Back in Topeka Alf Landon, emotionally worn out from five days in the limelight, slipped back into placid Kansas routine. For two days he had no more trying national duties than seeing West Virginia’s maverick Democrat, Senator Rush Holt, and New Jersey’s bedeviled Republican Governor Harold Hoffman.

Then arrived 2,000 Young Republicans imported by the Republican National Committee, a youth jubilee postponed from the week before when Nominee Landon set out suddenly for Maine. The same day, by bad political management, arrived 30 important farm editors. Shuttling from Young Republicans to editors and back to Young Republicans, Nominee Landon had a busy day. Next morning he was glad to get away with Mrs. Landon, Nancy Jo and Jack to the closing day of the Kansas Free Fair, to see Mrs. Landon’s own exhibit of antique lustreware, to ride the children on a merry-go-round, whose calliope was playing Happy Days Are Here Again.