Letter, Edward Remus to Franklin Roosevelt

2526 R November 4, 1940 My dear Mr. Remus: Your letter of October thirty-first has been received and will be brought to the at- tention of the President at the first opportunity. I know he would want me to thank you over so much for the friendly interest which you express in such generous terms. Very sincerely yours, STEPHEN EARLY Secretary to the President B Edward Remus, Esq., 276 Riverside Drive, New York, N. Y. get 276 riverside DRIVE NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. October 31, 1940. The President, The White House, Washington, D.C. My dear Mr. President: On the 31st of October 1932, I had the privilege of expressing to you my hope and belief that the majority of the American people would voice their confidence in you at the polls. This belief was more than justified by subsequent events. Today, on the 31st day of October 1940, I am permitting myself to again express my fullest conviction that on November 5th next, the majority of the American people will decide to continue with your able leadership. I am sure, Mr. President, that I am voicing the true sentiments of every sober-minded American, when I say that I detest the campaign of fear or rather the campaign of terror adopted by the party of the opposition. Lacking actual facts for criticism against our present Administration, the party of the opposition is endeavoring to confuse the minds of the American people by avoiding the real issue and the true facts, whilst concentrating their efforts on two major points -- FEAR OF WAR and THE QUESTION OF THE THIRD TERM. As to the first problem, every sober- minded American who has followed passed events, without prejudice, knows very well your record. Your efforts to avert the present European war - your efforts towards good relations with all our neighbors and above all your own repeated state- ments, should prove to everyone that in our present preparations the only question involved is our strong National defense. In other words, to make our Nation so strong, that no other nation will dare to attack us. And I am not saying this as a disinterested American for the reason that I have a son who is now in the selective service. 276 riverside DRIVE NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. The President, The White House, Page #2 Washington, D.C. With regard to the second problem, every American familiar with our Constitution (and un- fortunately there are many who have never even taken the trouble to read it) knows very well that the problem of the Third Term is not a constitutional one but one of tradition. The American people, under normal conditions, like to uphold our traditions, but conditions today are not normal - they are very grave indeed, threatening our personal liberty and even our own existence. In the hour of past dangers, many traditions had to be superceded by new methods to conform with the times, and this is exactly the situation today. Regardless of the personal capabilities of your opponent, I am fully convinced that the gravest mistake in American History that the American people could make, would be to disregard the grave danger we are facing today by substituting for your great experience, in both our domestic and foreign policies, a man who has never held a Government position and who would naturally be at a great disadvantage in working out the serious problems that confront us today. The party of the opposition cannot fool the majority of the American people by alluring promises, inspired by selfish motives. We all know that the average American enjoys today a sense of security that he had never before enjoyed -- that the dollar today has a greater purchasing power than it had even in our greatest prosperous times -- that our homes, our savings and our life insurance policies are protected -- that our Government Bonds and our Government Securities are higher today than in many other times. Yes, Mr. President, all sober-minded Americans will take these facts in consideration next November 5th. 276 riverside DRIVE new YORK CITY, N.Y. The President, The White House, Page #3 Washington, D.C. With my sincerest wishes that God may give you the health and strength to continue guiding the destinies of our Nation, I remain Very sincerely yours, Edward Remus