Word: alf
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When the words of Alf Landon's dramatic platform telegram to the convention boomed out from three loudspeakers on the porch, the crowd that had gathered outside set up their first victory cheer. Then John Hamilton's smashing speech of nomination began, followed by the roaring demonstration...
Before the seconding speeches were over, Alf Landon snapped off his radio, went alone to a room off the study. Through a half-open window, people outside could see him pacing nervously back & forth, hands behind his back, head down...
...Alf Landon walked out on the porch, his arm around Mrs. Landon's waist. For five minutes the crowd would not let him talk. When they quieted down, Nominee Landon stepped into a circle of microphones and in high-pitched, quavering tones, began a stumbling, halting, repetitious little speech. "Your good wishes and goodwill touch Mrs. Landon and myself very deeply. . . ." Once his voice broke completely. Once he raised a finger to brush away tears behind his rimless spectacles. Finally he got through: "We shall always cherish the memory of this happy evening together...
...crowd yelled for Mrs. Landon. Her husband pushed her up to the microphones. "I leave the talking to the Governor, but I wish you all . . ." she began, then she too choked up. "I can't talk!" cried she and rushed back to the support of Alf Landon...
Whether or not he is elected 33rd President of the U. S., squinty-smiling Governor Alf M. Landon of Kansas was last week indelibly imprinted upon his countrymen's memory as The Man Who revived the tune Oh! Susanna as a national theme song. In the course of six days at Cleveland, bands at the Republican National Convention played Oh! Susanna 1,800 times by official count. Into a class with The Sidewalks of New York and California, Here I Come passed the old banjo ballad written by Stephen Foster nearly 100 years ago and first sung into...