The New Nation - Internet Edition

A.Z.M. Shamsul Alam

Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882-1945) was one of a few very outstanding Presidents of the United States of America (1933-45). In facts he was the only President who could be elected President of the United States four time in 1932, 1936, 1940, 1944.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt was a crippled man. He was paralyzed from the waist down due to polio. When he became a Presidential candidate, Republican critics tried to brush him aside stating that a crippled man could run New York State of which he was the Governor, but not the USA which was fast replacing British Empire in world leadership. Republican criticism was a great handicap for a physically handicapped candidate to run the race and win it.

Franklin D. Roosevelt had to actually travel a lot to falsify Republican apprehension. He battered all the previous records of Presidential election campaign in visiting more cities and covering more states and areas. More American citizens saw the presidential candidate during that campaign. Minor cities, business centres, industrial towns were thrilled to receive a presidential candidate for the first time and more so, a candidate on wheel chair.

The speaking chair used to be lifted more than a foot to give the impression that the candidate Rousevelt was delivering speech from standing position behind the podium. They were delighted to see him as such as they knew that he was delivering speeches from a raised wheel chair. Total mileage of the election tours of Franklin D. Roosevelt was highest and higher than any other candidate in any previous electoral campaign.

Franklin D. Roosevelt could convince the American people that he could run more without any movable leg and was a fit candidate for electoral race and for running the country. American people elected him as 32nd President not only once but four times giving confidence to all handicapped and crippled American citizens that they could deliver the goods, if they were mentally armed with will, firmness and determination.

Thomas Woodrow Wilson, the 28th President (1913-21) of the USA was known to be a dull headed and very slow in understanding. He could not fully recognise the alphabets till he was nine years old. But he would constantly read books and would not waste his time and he was the only American President who had Ph. D. degree. But he would use this as the initial of his name as is done by almost all Ph. D. holders. He got his Ph. D. from the John Hopkins University in 1886. His thesis was titled "Consultative Government, a study in American Politics."

Thomas Woodrow Wilson could do a diplomatic miracle in human history which none could perhaps dream or do. Through his endeavour the League of Nations. the predecesor institution of present United Nations Organisation could be established. Creation of League of Nations can perpaps be viewed as one of the most outstanding contribution to human peace and civilisation.

Lack of sophistication, articulation or immaculate dress could not act as a handicap for John Quincey Adams to enable him to enter into White House as a President. John Quincey Adams, the sixth President of USA (1797 -1801) was a very simple, calm, conservative, unassuming and unattrative personality. He would loathe power and authority connected with the office of the President. Still he was elected President. One of the point in his favour was that he did not change his hat for ten years.

American voters perhaps wanted to see a new cap and a feather to his hat, but failed. They believed that such a man would not be changed after he was vested with all the power and pomp of presidency. He proved himself worthy of the trust of the Americans and did not buy a new cap to take his oath nor thereafter.

Lack of wife did not stand in the way of James Buchanon 15th President to enter into White House. James Buchanon was in love with Anne Caroline, a daughter of an aristocratic and rich family. Her parents did not agree to their marriage. She failed to convince her parents to agree to give their consent to her marriage but she suceeded to commit suicide.

The family of unfortunate Anne Caroline blamed James Buchanon for their daughter's unnatural death. Buchanon was also deeply hurt at the suicide of the girl he loved. He decided not to fall in love again with any other girl, but to remain in love with the people and serve their interests. All his life he remained a bachelor. People rewarded him with the Presidency of the USA in 1856.

Clover Cleaveland was elected President twice (1884 and 1892), not on continuous two terms but with an interval. He had a good physique but with an artificial jaw. He was attacked with cancer of the mouth. His left jaw was removed and a new jaw was set. He was known to be a very obstinate and determined man. Once he took a decision. he would never change for which he was used to be called bull-headed.

Lack of formal College level education was not handicaps for many American Presidents to successfully run presidential campaigns. School education was enough for many illustrious Presidents to grace Presidential Chair and White House.

Many U.S. Presidents did never cross the threshold of any college room for educational purposes. Among them comparatively famous names are those of George Washington (1789-1797), Martin Van Buren (1836). Billard Filmmore (1850-53). Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865), Andrew Johnson (1865), Harry S. Truman (1945), Andrew Jackson (1929-1937), Glover Cleveland (1885).

In spite of not going to College, they earned enough knowledge to compensate their lack of formal education. The American people do not feel that they faited to find persons of higher education or merit to elect their Presidents, rather they are proud of them.

George Washington, the first President of the USA (1789-97) was offered crown to become King of America. He was a scion of the royal family of Britain. He declined the offer of crown and wanted to preside over the affairs of the people. He wanted that every American citizen should be as distinguished as a King. As the first among them, he will preside over the conduct of their affairs, and be called President. Slavery was legal during his time and was abolished by Abraham Lincoln (1861-1863). It was rumoured that like many others of his time he had unrecognised children through his slave girls. It was not viewed as a moral handicap to be elected President.

When George Washington was offered third term as President. he declined and held that there should be persons among the Americans who would be able to conduct their affairs without him and perform better.

Though his successor John Adams (1797-1801) was not as charismatic or competent as George Washington, but Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809) the third President revived presidential dignity and glory and set a heritage.

George Washington (1789-97) was the only President in the United States' history, who was elected unanimously without a single vote cast against him. He was the only President who took arms in his hand and led an army in the battle. No other President went out of the President's House himself to lead an armed expedition during their tenures.

In 1794, the farmers of West Pennsylvania took-up arms against the imposition of tax on liquor and refused to pay. This is known as famous Whisky Rebellion. President George Washington declared that decision made by persons elected by the vote of the people must not be changed by bayonets or bullets of discontented persons. He asked them to go home and wait for a decision till the next election of the Congress or Presidency.

In order to establish the authority and power of ballot and of elected Government, President Washington himself took-up arms and turned an ordinary soldier of domocracy. Seeing the determination of President George Washington and himself with arms, whisky rebellion melted with moderate resistance.

William Howard Taft, 27th President of the USA (1909-13) was a deaf man. He would not hear what others would say but had a very quick grasp of mind. He could study the mind of others from their faces. He was so deaf that he would not even hear when national anthem used to be sung. His Private Secretary was required to give him a push with elbow to ask him to stand up for national anthem. Though he would hear neither the voice nor the noise of musical instruments, but would well understand the language of elbow-push of his Private Secretary.