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Norman Thomas : a Study of His Speaking Career

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Norman Thomas : a Study of His Speaking Career NORMAN THOMAS : A STUDY OF HIS SPEAKING CAREER AND HIS TECHNIQUES AS A SPEAKER DISSERTATION Presented In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Decree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By EUGENE VASILEV, B.A., M.A. ***** The Ohio State University 1955 Approved by; Adviser Department of Speech 11 PREFACE The life of Ilorrnan Thomas Is so full and varied, and bis speaking experiences so prodigious, that it will take many biograph­ ical and rhetorical studies to do him Justice. I believe ve are only Just beginning to appreciate Thomas* unique position in American history, and only nibbling at the edges of the huge body of informa­ tion that concerns his life and activities. The scope of this vork is intended to be vide, but its purpose is limited. As the first of its kind about Norman Thomas, it is meant to be exploratory— to help provide leads, so to speak, for the search parties that are sure to follow. For whatever benefit this work may be to future researchers, I an most of all indebted to lir. Thomas himself, who made available to me special sources— including parts of his unpublished memoir, sat patiently for several interviews, and read through the draft of the biographical chapters to check the essential accuracy of facts. If any errors still remain there, the responsibility is entirely mine, and, of course, all interpretations are my own. I am also deeply indebted to Professor Robert Alexander of Rutgers University who kindly gave me access to notes of interviews, and letters he has been collecting for several years in preparation for a biography of Norman Thomas. The information I was thus able to get has been extremely helpful to me, but for the use I made of Professor Alexander's notes I alone am responsible. ill I wish also to express jay appreciation to the Manuscript Division of the New York Public Library; to Princeton University and the Firestone Library at Princeton; to the Alumni Office at Union Theological Seminary; to the Socialist Party Office In New York City; and to the many individ­ uals who replied to my Inquiries or let themselves be interviewed as I pursued ray study of Thomas. At all these places eund by all these people I was shown special kindness and Indulged in eveiry way. Any additional merit beyond that of the ordinary Ph.D. study this one may have, is mostly owing to Professor Harold F. Harding, ray advisor, who In subtle ways goaded rae beyond ray original goe.ls. If I failed to come up to his standards, the shortcoming Is mine. Finally, I must express the feeling of obligation that is due my family. Beyond the usual debt we owe our parents, I owe a special one to mine for this particular work. Had they not taken me as a boy to hear Norman Thomas, had I not grown up in an atmosphere of talk about socialism and the Party, I am sure I would have had no thought of doing this study. To my wife I am Indebted for valuable editorial assistance, and for years of patience while the work was being completed. t a b l e o f c o n t e n t s CHAPTER PA5E I. INTRODUCTION........................................... 1 Thomas* Importance as a spealcer...................... 2 Thomas’ Importance as a political figure .............. ^ Previous studies of Normsm Thomas .................... 7 Outline of the present s t u d y .......................... 9 Materials available .................................. 10 PART I CAREER AS A SPEAICER II. TEE FORMATIVE YEARS: BIRTH TO PRINCETOT, 1884-1902 .... 13 III. PRINCETON, 1 9 0 2 - 1 9................................... 0 5 27 IV. PRELUDE TO THE MINISTRY, 1905-1911 ...................... 44 V. THE SOCIAL MINISTRY, 1911-1916......................... 63 VI. ARMAGEDDON: WORLD WAR I - PACIFISM AND SOCIALISM, 1 9 1 6 - 1 9............................................ 1 8 72 VII. RISING TO SOCIALIST LEADERSHIP, I918-I9 2 8............. 87 VIII. THE YEARS OF HOPE, 1929-1932 ........... IO5 IX. EBB TIDE FOR THE SOCIALISTS, 1933-1938 ................. 126 X, ANOTHER ARMAGEDDON; WAR, PEACE, AND NEUTRALITY, 1 9 3 6 - 1 9............................................ 4 4 149 XI. A PERSONAL TRIUMPH: THE RESPECTABLE SOCIALIST 1 9 4 5 - 1 9............................................ 5 4 185 PART II TECHITIQUES ;"^S A SPEAKER XII. THE MAN AND HIS I D E A S ................................. 204 -iv- CHAPTER PAGE The Man ................................... 20^ A Catalog of B e l i e f s .................................. 211 Thcanas' Political Ph i l o s o p h y.......................... 217 Thomas and Religion ................................ 223 XIII.THOMAS AS SPEAKER: METHODS OF PREPARATION.................. 226 General method of preparation .......................... 227 The manuscript speech......... 232 Tlae speech s u m m a r y ............... 23^ The speech o u t l i n e .................................... 238 Introductions arv3 conclusions ...................... 2h0 Summary................................................ 2h6 XIV.THE SPEAKER: STRENGTHS Aim IfEAKNESSES...................... 2*49 The speaker's organization ............................ 2^9 The speal:er'a st y l e .................. 253 The spealier ' s forms of proof * ........................ 260 The speaker's debating techniques ...................... 278 The speaker's de l i v e r y .............................. 283 Tlie speaker's adaptation to the au d i e n c e ............... 288 Summary................................................ 29O XV. The OVERVIEW: an assessment........................... 29U Thomas As Politician and Party Leader .................. 29^ Thomas' Influence As A Speaker ........................ 30^ .'^PENDIX........................................................ 312 BIBLIOGRAPHY.................................................... 329 CHAPTER I DITROEUCTION It VGWld seem to be superfluous to have to Justify a rhetorical study of Norman Thomas. Surely no American who read a city newspaper during the period of the "great depression" would fall to recognize his name. A great many Americans can probably recall hearing Thomas speak, In person or on the radio, and more recently on television. Several mil­ lion Americans may admit to having voted for him one or more of the six times he was a candidate for President of the United States. In New York State, where he ran twice for Governor and once for United States Senator, and In New York City, where he sought the offices of Alderman, State Assem­ blyman, Borough President of Manhattan, and Mayor, Norman Thomas Is a familiar figure. His reputation Is International, too. Norman Thomas la known by government leaders In every free European capital. In Canada and Mexico, as well as In many of the countries of the Near and Par East ^)evere Allen gives an example of the Influence of Thomas' name In Europe. Allen was visiting Luxembourg as a reporter In 1939 and went to see the Minister of justice, Rene Blum. It was Blum's day for not seeing anyone, but Allen had a note sent up saying that Thomas had requested him to give regards and greetings to Luxembourg Socialists. Allen was Immediately ushered up and later sent along the Luxembourg- Slegfrled Line border, to which no other correspondents were permitted to go. Devera Allen, Interview with Robert Alexander. Robert Alexander, notes and letters collected for a biography of Norman Thomas. (Hereafter, all references concerning interviews and/or letters to Alexander should be considered as coming from this collection.) J. J. Singh, president of the India League of America, (in a letter to Robert Alexander, February 2U, 1950) writes that Thomas is well loiown In India. Nehru, he says,knows Thomas personally, and among the first requests of Indleui students coming to America is a visit with Thomas. •1» In his lifetime, Thomas has been the recipient of editorial acco­ lades by the hundreds from newspapers large and small of various political leanings. He has received gifts, plaques, and certificates of all kinds. Lately, some of his countrymen have begun to pay more earnest tribute to Norman Thomas. They have given him testimonial dinners— sponsored by scores of famous people— and even purses so that he might carry on his work. His opinions have been respected, even when not in general accept­ ance. Congressional committees have called upon him to testify regarding all sorts of legislative matters. He has had entree to our leading states­ men, Presidents included. But the fame of the perennial also-ran tends to be ephemeral, and the effect of the orator's utterances is oftimes impermanent, so that those who read these words only ten years hence may stare unknowingly at the name Norman Thomas. What then entitles him to a significant place in the his­ tory of American public address? Thomas' Importance As A Speaker If for no other reason, he has earned a place by the sheer breadth of his speaking experience and the great devotion he has shown to public address. In forty-odd years on the public platform, Norman Thomas has addressed large audiences and small all around the world: in London and ToI:yo, Stockholm and New Delhi, Singapore and Berlin, in Mexico, in Canada, and in every state but Nevada. He has spoken to groups as diverse as a conference of ministers and a prison chapel full of convicts. He lias been (and still is) a tremendously popular lecturer. As a lecturer, Thomas has used the platforms of mocL of Americji's prominent 3 Forums and many of Its exclusive euid Influential clubs. Since 1932 he has earned his living chiefly by lecturing. He has addressed the conventions of a large assortment of organiz­ ations. He has spoken with remarkable success on college campuses, and was, for this reason. In great demand as a commencement speaker. Thomas is also an outstanding debater, a fact to which his oppon­ ents have frequently attested. His participations on America's Town Meeting of the Air have been so well received that since its inception he has appeared more than thirty times, or nearly ten times as often 2 as any other speaker.
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