Elmer Davis Quotes
This is a people's war, and to win it, the people should know as much about it as they can.
Davis, Elmer. "Statement on Assuming the Directorship of the Office of War Information." Office of War Information, Jun. 1942.
The King was asking for volunteers for the British Army. What is particularly interesting about this quote is the overt appeal to “men of all classes.” This illustrates that there was an extensive class system then operational in Britain. Almost all people knew to which class they belonged. A very popular King could then make a statement like this and no one was critical of his referring to citizens by class distinctions. Even in modern times, Britain is a more class conscious society than America. The response to this appeal was very good, but the First World War developed in such a way that huge manpower resources were needed and the King had to reluctantly assent to a military draft 7 months later.
Argentina was in the midst of the Dirty War where the military ran a reign of terror. Anyone who was suspected of opposing the junta was kidnapped, tortured, and often killed secretly. See President Videla: {41563}
Monroe was Secretary of War at the time and wanted to raise an army to invade Canada. Congress debated the option but the War of 1812 ended and so did the conscription proposal. See Daniel Webster’s opposition to Monroe’s idea.
The nation was facing a ruined, unregulated economy with 25% unemployment.
Ironically, Mrs. Roosevelt was often called by her political enemies a socialist who would weaken the citizen’s sense of personal responsibility.
Elmer Holmes Davis was a news reporter, author, the Director of the United States Office of War Information during World War II and a Peabody Award recipient.
