National Affairs: Robinson’s Yes

Nominee Robinson was notified of his honor, at Hot Springs, Ark., by Keynoter Claude Gernade Bowers. In his acceptance speech, the Nominee began by speaking of “the personal characteristics of the candidates,” how interesting they were, and of “the poisons of slander and libel” to be “counteracted.” He said:

“Numerous political serpents are hissing in the dark and striking from cover, and with venomous malice seek to poison the thoughts and arouse the prejudice of those who will decide issues of far reaching importance. . . .

“No end aimed at by an individual or a political organization can justify the secret or open employment of corrupt or otherwise dishonorable means. The spokesman of a party has the duty to tell the whole truth, and is justified in urging conclusions which his conscience approves, however distasteful or harmful they may be to the opposition. He proves himself unworthy if he knowingly accepts advantage from falsehood, even though not uttered or inspired by himself.”

Then he made a Farm Relief speech. He mentioned that, in 1921, the Republican Secretary of Agriculture (Henry Cantwell Wallace) recommended the first of the fiercely-disputed McNary-Haugen Bills and that President Coolidge vetoed the two McNary-Haugen Bills which Congress passed. He contended Herbert Hoover favored U. S. agricultural production for Home Demand, as opposed to World Demand. He said:

“Mr. Hoover, as the President’s trusted adviser, is perhaps more directly responsible for the failure of farm relief legislation during the eight years referred to than any other single political leader. . . .”

In later parts of his speech he said:

“President Wilson vetoed the Volstead Act.” (Nominee Robinson voted for it.) “. . . The Prohibition Bureau has been under the Treasury Department, whose head, prior to national prohibition, was largely interested in the liquor business.”