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Radio Address Delivered by Judge Albion Dunn of Greenville, North Carolina, on Saturday, May 4,1946, Over Station WRRF
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Radio Audience of the First District:
"I am delighted that I am afforded the opportunity to speak to the
voters of this district. The time was, and not so long ago, that the Counties
of the First District, lying across the sound, were referred to as the
"Lost Colony." Good roads and magnificient bridges h$ve revolutionized
conditions, and today all of us are neighbors. Our interests have become
one and the same. That which serves the one helps the other. Today I
bring greetings of friendship from the people of the great County of Pitt,
and while there is a minority who may not sanction what I shall say, it is
my confirmed opinion that the great majority of the voters of my County
are ready to join hands with you in a united effort to return to Congress
Beaufort County's distinguished citizen and Democrat, who has never
faltered in his efforts to promote and advance our common welfare?the
Honorable Herbert C. Bonner, of Washington.
"I do not claim to be a politician. I have no political axe to grind. I
have never actively engaged in politics- hence I feel qualified today to
speak to you as one citizen to another. As a citizen and voter of the First
Congressional District I am seriously concerned, as you ought to be, that
our political offices shall be filled by men truly representative of the
people whom they will serve, by men fully informed as to the needs of
the people and possessed of the ability and the experience to secure those
needs by proper and appropriate legislation.
"With such a view in mind, after careful consideration of the quali
fications of the two candidates now presenting themselves for nomination
for Congress by the Democratic Primary, and without any animosity or
ill will towards Mr. Humber, the virtual stranger who- wants to be your
Representative in Congress, I fully, freely and without qualification
endorse Herbert Bonner to .continue to represent the people of the First
District in Congress and bespeak for him your active support and vote
in the approaching Primary. I cannot subscribe to the fantastic idea of
Mr. Humber to establish a world federation, which idea was born in the
minds of a certain group, of which Mr. Humber was one, at Mondsee,
Austria, at a so-called Institute of World Affairs, between July 1st and
August 25th, 1933.
"If I were not fully persuaded that Herbert Bonner is a man of
integrity, a man with sincere ambition to Continue to represent the
District as a whole in the future as he has so ably done in the past,
and in a way that will redound to the benefit of all the people, this
message would not be delivered. ,
"My friendship with Herbert Bonner is of long standing. I knew him
before he became secretary to that other stalwart Democrat of Beaufort
County, a man whom all Democrats admire, a figure of national promi
nence, the Hon. Lindsay Warren. I know something of the pride, while
holding that office, which he manifested in this District and of the
genuine love and devotion he had for our people, and since Lindsay Warren
retired from Congress and the mantle so worthily worn by him fell upon
the shoulders of this young man, I have observed with admiration his
constant effort and untiring energy to do something worthwhile and really
constructive for his constituents and for this great Country? and when
I see with my own eyes and know of the many helpful things he has
accomplished, I do not hesitate to tell you that It behooves the Democracy
of the First District to bestir itself in his behalf and not be blindfed by the'
oratorial generalities of his opponent.
"What has Herbert Bonner done that deserves your continued, sup-"
port? >
IT wnen the growers of peanuts were bemoaning their fate and
starvation prices stared them in the face and they were desperate, it was
Herbert Bonner who came to their rescue and by his untiring effort was
instrumental in having a price fixed that enabled the farmer to see the
light of day and market his products at a profit. 1 cannot conceive that
the memory of these men is so short that they will not manifest their
gratitude and appreciation by returning this friend ahd-patriot to Congress.
2. Have the potato growers of the First District so soon forgotten
what Herbert Bonner accomplished in their behalf? Can it be true that
their memory fails to harken back to just a few years ago when the price
they were receiving was not sufficient to pay the cost of digging? When
they were confronted with financial disaster?did Herbert Bonner turn a
deaf ear to toeir Macedonian cry to come and help them, or did he take off
his coat and go to their rescue? History of this period will confirm my -
statement that it was Herbert Bonner who unceasingly voiced their cry of
desperation until Congress heard of their true plight, and legislation was
enacted through his untiring effort which made the Government a buyer
of the potato crop. A support price was fixed?a new day dawned in the
First District?the situation was saved and there were tidings of great
joy among those who had become hopeless and desperate. Do you farmers
owe him any gratitude for that effort in your behalf? I cannot believe
that in times of prosperity you will fail to remember the hand that fed you,
and I am confident that you too will rally to his support and on the 25th
of May will give him your vote of confidence and loyalty. To believe
otherwise would destroy my faith in the integrity and wisdofa of our
people.
8. Has Herbert Bonner done anything for the tobacco farmer? The
facts are undisputed. He was behind every movement that bettered the
price of tobacco. He secured priority for the tobacco flues to enable the
fanner to cure the product, without which the crop could not have been
marketed. He secured priority for tobacco cloth, so that the grower could
protect the tobacco beds, without which protection there would have been
no crop. He secured priority for tobacco twine so necessary in preparation
for the curing. Whenever the tobacco farmer expressed a need and that
Herbert Bonner who has secured
ofa faithful officer wffl so soon
to
needed daring: the past six years they are going to need daring the
two years, when there is so much to be done in behalf of agriculture
and so few in power to do it. Can the farmer's interest possibly be
better protected by a man who knows nothing about their needs, who
is unfamiliar with the details of legislation, who is. unknown to the
members of Congress, or will their interests be best served by one
who enjoys the respect and cohfidence of that membership, who knows
by. experience what those needs are,'who is familiar with the details
of legislation and who knows where and how to get those in authority
to present the views of his constituents, and to. secure the passage of
laws beneficial to his District and his people? The question answers
itself. The best servant is the trained servant. The safest servant is
the tried and proven servant. 1
"I feel that the great majority of the voters of this District, and especially
the peanut farmers, the tobacco farmers and the potato farmers, see the situation
as I do, and I am convinced that the people of this District are not yet reedy to
entrust its destiny into the hands of a man whose perspective is steeped in the
vision of the Poet Tetmyson, who dreamed of "a 'Parliament of man, the Federa
tion of the World," who would create an International Super Government, to
which the Sovereign Government of the United States would be subordinate.
"Do I misinterpret Mr. Humberts purpose when I read in the resolution which
is his Brain child, and which seemingly actuates his every thought, "that it is
better for the world to be ruled by an International Sovereignty of Season,
Social Justice and Peace than by Diverse National Sovereignties organically
incapable of preventing their own dissolution by conquest." I honestly believe
that I express the views of the sovereign people of the First District when I de
clare we shall never agree to subordinate the Sovereign Power of the United
States to a Super-Government composed of sixty-three or more nations, all of
whom are already jealous of our great Country and more or lees unfriendly to'
our interests. And nowhere in all America should any people be more opposed
to such an idea than here where ->the first white child was bom ? here,
the very cradle of our democratic institutions. Are we ready to forego the
traditions of 350 years and yield" our birthright to the Super-Power of a Super
State? I declare that we are not and that we will so declare ourselves on May
25th whan we return to the Congress the man who for five years npheld the
wishes and supported the aims of that great American, whose untimely death
occurred on April 12th, 1945, and who, now inspired by the soul of that great
man, will continue to uphold the hands of our President in all that tends to pro
more the welfare of this Country.
"But I have not completed the catalog of the things that Herbert Bonnet
has done for the people of this District:
4. He has not confined his interest to the fanner, but he has had in mind
the interests of the fisherman as well. He has sought.to improve their lot, and
by his efforts in their behalf, they have received a livable price for the food
which they wrest from the waters of our District, They no longer face starvation.
They are receiving an adequate return for their labor. The toils, dangers and
hazards which they were want to risk in the past, and-from which they eked
a bare living, are now, by his sterling efforts in their behalf, requited, and they
no longer occupy the lowly position which was once their station. Are these
people so soon to forget these labors in their behalf? Are they going to be
lured' from their position of security and safety by the- song of a Super-Govern
ment Siren? I have in.you the same confidence that I have in the farmers, and
again it is my honest belief that you will vote to return to Congress the servant
who has so well and faithfully served your interest.
"Such accomplishments as those recited are bound to bring recognition from
his colleagues, and so we naturally ask?How is. Herbert Bounar regarded in
Congress ? The Committees to which he has been appointed bear testimony to his
recognition and to the esteem in which he is held by his colleagues. These com
mittees are:
Merchant Marine Committee, which during the war handled the vast War
Shipping and Coast Guard activities.
Ranking member of the Committee on Accounts which has charge of the
running expenses of the Housd.
Ranking member of the Committee on Roads, which committee deals with
Federal Aid to highways among its many other functions.
Member of the Pension Committee which deals with Spanish-American War ; ?
veterans.
Member of the Fish and Wildlife Committee.,
Member of the Un-American Activities Committee.
rs^irman 0f the Committee on the Election of President, Vice-President and
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Representatives in Congress.
Kep
'And on numerous occasions he has been appointed on Special Committees
to perform special and particular duties for the Congress. Recently he was sent
to Panama to investigate the needs and requirements of the Panama Canal, and
earlier he was sent to the South Pacific to investigate conditions at the various
Army Posts and report to Congress.
"As a member on the Committee on Merchant Marine, he sponsored an amend
ment to the Mil providing tire sale of Merchant Marine vessels, which according
to a Washington correspondent will save to the Government some 260 to 900
million dollars.
"Many more of the things Herbert Bonner has done could be netted, but
time forbids. Sufficeth it to say/such a record k worthy at our confidence?ouch
faithfulness in a public servant commands our esteem?such devotion-to
rd?such devotion to duty demands our i
you accord Herbert Bonner such estedSm,
you express your choice on May 25th? I|i
you will. |?|Sp*; V- V';!:; ? .'j-'
"Something has been said about the war record of Mr.
visits to the war-torn battle fields of Europe. All I can s*y
at the Readers
meat appeared: "Mr. Humber fought with an Artillery Company in France and
thug learned the devastation of war." This statement is incorrect and I am
sure Mr. Humber would want it corrected. His true record is found in the office
of the Adjutant General of the U. S. War Department. 1 quote verbatim: "He
attended the Student Training Corps at Plattsburg Barracks, New York, frbm
July 18 to September 16, 1918, on which date he was honorably discharged. His *
status while in attendance at this camp was that of a civilian in training' for a
commission. He accepted a Commission as 2nd lit., Field Artillery, on Septem
ber 16, 1918, snd was honorably discharged December 14, 1918, at Camp Zachary
Taylor, Kentucky, by reason of the demobilisation of the emergency forces."
"That record, as far as it goes, is all right and not for one minute would I
belittle it. 1 simply want to keep the record straight. On the other hand, if it
becomes nechssary in this campaign to talk of records, I would remind, you that
Herbert Bonner was a member at the Armed Forces of the United States in the
First World War, and for twelve months fought upon the Mood-soaked battle
fields of France, attaining by bis conduct, his courage and bis service# the rank
of Sergeant. The war records of these two men are not cited as a reflection
upon either, but merely to keep the record straight
"That Mr. Humber is brilliant, I admit That he is an eloquent speaker, 1
do not deny. He is a true gentleman, and I would be the last one to cast any
aspersions against him, but I know nothing of his politics. I do know that he
has not resided in Pitt County since he became of age. He has spent the major
portion of his years in a foreign country, where, according to an article in the
Headers Digest, he was connected with some oil interest, out of which he made
a fortune* May I ask when did such a connection qualify a stranger to the
people of the First District, to represent them in Congress? What, may I ask,
has Mr. Humber done, since he arrived at his majority, for the Democratic Party?
What are his aims, his purposes and his objects if elected to'Congrees? What
benefit do you, the people of the First District, expect if he is put in office?
Shall we ignore all that Herbert Bonner has done, his long service to the
Democratic Party in this District, and return to Congress in his place a man about
whom we knew nothing except that he was born in Pitt County, spent most of
his years in France, made a fortune out of oil, and now aspires to be Representa
tive of the most democratic people on earth, a worthy ambition it is true, but
an ambition that should be satisfied only when he has fought the battles of the
Democratic Party of this District arid proven his worth by his service to its
"We know Herbert Bonner. We know his record. We know he has been
faithful. Wa know that he has been loyal. We know that he has been devoted
to his people. His legislative record cannot be ignored. His experience as a
law-maker will continue to stand him in great stead. His ability will continue
to be heard in the Councils of the Nation and his people will rejoice that they
had the foresight to continue him as their representative, that he may continue
to lend his every effort to the promotion of their welfare.
And so I recommend to the voters of the First District that they send
Herbert Bonner hack to Congress, fully persuaded that one who has heretofore
been so successful in all that he has undertaken for their benefit and, welfare,
will Continue to truly and wisely represent their interests and faithfully perform
the duties of that great office.
- "As one of his friends, as one who knows that he came up through life the
hard way, I make this appeal to the -voters of the First District, to the end that
each sad every County in the District will join, as in' ona great and inseparable
union, and re-elect as oar Representative in Congress, a man who will serve our
interests, a man who, at all times and upon all occasions, will uphold the tradi
tions of a true democracy, who subscribe# fully to the American Way of Life,
whose acts, words and accomplishmenits'will redound to the credit of us all, who,
indeed, deserves your esteem, mid throughout his .career will continue to merit
your confidence. In behalf of the First District, I salute Congressman
may he continue to represent us.
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AN EXCELLENT RECORD
First Congressional District will reflect honor upon itself by
' Herbert C. Bonner a towering majority in the primary
to bo held on May 25th. Ddring tbe nearly sixteen Mr. Bomer has been
a atom bar of the House of Representatives, he has continually grown not
only in stature bet in the estimation ahd affection of the people of the
District. In his first bid for cenominatian in 1942, he carried every county
in the District by a commanding majority. Since than he has rendered
ahd conspicuous aerriee to the people?alwaja arirdful of their
always willing and co-operative In bia efforts to nrn all of
JPPL???-- .JRPPIPPBPPIBL^ B9R
No man in Congress had a finer voting record on all of the war
urea, and iw> one has rendered greater sendee to those who fought tbe
Settles and their families than the able and aggresive Congi turns ail from
the Find District. > , -
not hold any college degrees, nor does ha
. Ha came up tbe band wuy as is w*H known through the ,
Se was darted the opportunity of a college education) bat ha is a
of the "University of Hard Knocks." Ho knows the needs as
Ik aspirations of the people of this District and he
mself to make them el
he has been regarded as a
No one baa given