Opinions from past provide perspective

Looking Back reviews opinions published in The Spokesman-Review during this week in history.

FDR wins, Nov. 4, 1936

President Franklin Roosevelt easily won his second term, carrying every state but Vermont and Maine. The Spokesman-Review endorsed Kansas Gov. Alf Landon, but wished FDR well.

“The Spokesman-Review hopes that Mr. Roosevelt will be deeply affected by the magnitude of his victory and its expression of popular approval of his leadership. Recognizing his deep obligation to the people and his country, he will apply himself diligently to building up a national administration exclusively for the welfare of all the people. In the troubled world of today, there is nothing so important as the permanent maintenance of the American standard of living for the average citizen.

“Thus responsive to his profound obligation, he would win the confidence and approval of all worthy elements of the nation. In that way he can fix for himself a place in American history with the truly great and revered presidents of the republic.”

Voters like Ike, Nov. 7, 1956

President Dwight Eisenhower rolled to re-election, and the editorial board saw the victory as a repudiation of Adlai Stevenson’s attacks.

“The phenomenal popular as well as electoral vote which this team is rolling up indicates a great faith and trust in the ability of the president to keep America out of war, to maintain a high standard of living here at home and to continue those policies that make for sound and stable government interested in the welfare but not the domination of the individual citizen.”

The editorial noted: “The majority of the American people have declared invalid such arguments as ‘a part-time president,’ ‘the broken promises,’ ‘the failure of leadership,’ ‘the neglect of the farmer,’ ‘the plight of small business,’ ‘misconduct in the government,’ ‘the giveaway of natural resources.’ ”

It went on to say: “Yesterday’s voting, however, was a massive nationwide affirmation of belief in the wisdom of the foreign and domestic policies being advocated and administered by the previous administration.”

Letters to the editor,

Nov. 3, 1986

The letters were pouring in as Election Day approached. The S-R editorial board saw this as a good sign.

“During the last few weeks our letters to the editor space has overflowed. We have doubled the daily space allotment and still we can’t fit them all in. The subject? Tuesday’s election. We haven’t seen such political intensity in years.

“If the public invests as much energy in deciding the campaigns as it has in writing letters about them – and we have every reason to believe it will – Tuesday’s election should attract a splendid turnout at the polls.

“It should! Several of the most significant races are so tight that every vote – contrary to the unfortunate old myth that ‘my vote doesn’t count’ – truly will make a difference.”

The editorial concluded: “Tuesday, the people are in charge. Let’s make the most of it.”