The Brooklyn Eagle (July 2, 1944)
Dewey sees campaign hastening Axis doom
Election will prove U.S. is world’s most united nation, nominee declares
Albany, New York (UP) –
Governor Dewey, the Republican presidential candidate, said today that the forthcoming political campaign will strengthen the country’s war effort and hasten the doom of the Axis powers.
Speaking from the steps of New York’s historic capitol, Dewey told a huge crowd welcoming him home that the United States is the “most united nation in the world” and “almost the only country which would dare risk an election during the most critical phase of the war.”
Means Axis doom sooner
He added:
We can risk an election because to us that means we are free men and women. We are going to keep the things we are fighting for and strengthen them by having an election in these times.
It means we have the greatest system in the world. We are able to argue about things which mean most to us while everyone keeps his shoulder to the wheel. It means to the Axis that doom will come sooner because we are so strong, we can argue among ourselves and fight a war better as we do it. After Nov. 7, America will be stronger.
Dewey said that throughout the campaign, the points upon which specifically agreed will become so clear that “even Hitler and Hirohito can understand them,” and as a result:
We will prove that in the process of fighting a total war this country can preserve its sacred free processes and become stronger as a result of an election.
The demonstration, which greeted Dewey upon his return from the Chicago Republican Convention, surprised even Albany followers who planned it. Police estimated that 10,000 persons lined Dewey’s route from the railroad depot to the capitol. Carrying flags and banners, they marched behind two brass bands.
Confers with leaders
Prior to delivering his first public address since his acceptance speech, Dewey had final conferences with Republican National Chairman Herbert Brownell Jr., State Chairman Edwin F. Jaeckle and National Committeeman J. Russell Sprague. Throughout the discussions, he emphasized the necessity of unity within the party, and made overtures to both the Old Guard and the supporters of Wendell L. Willkie.
Brownell announced in Manhattan yesterday that on Wednesday he and other party leaders will plunge into the strenuous campaign they hope will lead to Dewey’s election.
“The convention elected a very strong ticket in Dewey and Bricker,” he said, predicting a Republican victory.
A campaign office will be established in the Hotel Roosevelt, but Brownell said that it had not been decided if that will be national headquarters.