Reading history books is dangerous. You may be reminded of what you lost and what is deliciously possible. There was a time when national figures believed that the greatness of a nation eclipsed partisan political interest. We must hope and pray to see the rebirth of the political atmosphere that provided this nation with the difficult choice between Wendell Willkie and Franklin D. Roosevelt. Although Willkie lost to FDR he joined with him in championing many of Roosevelts causes which included strident opposition to Nazi Germany, ending isolationism, and supporting civil rights. The New York Times said of Willkies life; Wendell Willkie put country above party and principle above ambition. … Without Mr. Willkie’s support, it is quite possible our Government would not have been ready for the attack that fell upon us in December 1941. He helped win the war. He helped spread the American idea abroad and he showed by example the folly of those now behind the Iron Curtain who feared and suspected American democracy.” The distinguished First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt in her eulogy of Willkie described him as a man of courage [whose] outspoken opinions on race relations were among his great contributions to the thinking of the world. She concluded, Americans tend to forget the names of the men who lost their bid for the presidency. Willkie proved the exception to this rule. Willkie Quotes: Our way of living together in America is a strong but delicate fabric. It is made up of many threads. It has been woven over many centuries by the patience and sacrifice of countless liberty-loving men and women. It serves as a cloak for the protection of poor and rich, of black and white, of Jew and Gentile, of foreign and native born. Let us not tear it asunder. For no man knows, once it is destroyed, where or when man will find its protective warmth again. - Wendell Willkie In addition, as citizens, we must fight in their incipient stages all movements by government or party or pressure groups that seek to limit the legitimate liberties of any of our fellow citizens. - Wendell Willkie “Whenever we take away the liberties of those whom we hate we are opening the way to loss of liberty for those we love.” - Wendell L. Willkie The constitution does not provide for first and second class citizens. - Wendell Willkie “I would rather lose in a cause that I know some day will triumph than to triumph in a cause that I know some day will fail.” - Wendell L. Willkie It is, therefore, essential that we guard our own thinking and not be among those who cry out against prejudices applicable to themselves, while busy spawning intolerances for others. - Wendel Willkie It has been a long while since the United States had any imperialistic designs toward the outside world. But we have practised within our own boundaries something that amounts to race imperialism. - Wendell Willkie When we talk of freedom and opportunity for all nations, the mocking paradoxes in our own society become so clear they can no longer be ignored. - Wendell Wilkie Short history: After failing to unseat Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1940 presidential election, Willkie became one of FDRs most unlikely allies. To the chagrin of many in his party, Willkie called for greater national support for some of Roosevelts controversial initiatives, such as the Lend-Lease Act, and embarked on a new campaign to awaken America from its isolationist slumber. On July 23, 1941, he urged unlimited aid to Britain in its struggle against Nazi Germany. That same year he traveled to Britain and the Middle East as FDRs personal representative and, in 1942, visited the USSR and China in the same capacity. In 1943, Willkie wrote One World, a plea for international peacekeeping after the war. Extremely popular, the book sold millions of copies and helped to bring the U.S. out of its isolationist slumber. Also in 1943, together with Eleanor Roosevelt and other Americans concerned about the mounting threats to peace and democracy, Willkie helped to establish Freedom House. In 1944, Willkie once again sought the Republican presidential nomination, but his liberal progressive views gained little support due to the rightward shift of the Republican party. Willkie did not support the eventual 1944 Republican nominee, Thomas Dewey. After surviving several heart attacks, Willkie finally succumbed, dying on October 8, 1944 at age fifty-two. ER in her October 12, 1944 My Day column eulogized Willkie as a man of courage [whose] outspoken opinions on race relations were among his great contributions to the thinking of the world. She concluded, Americans tend to forget the names of the men who lost their bid for the presidency. Willkie proved the exception to this rule.
Posted on: Wed, 06 Nov 2013 15:22:39 +0000
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