Field Marshal von Hindenburg

Those who have been, or might be proposed as counter candidates, in view of the situation, cannot be an affirmation, but rather the negation of the German will for unity — in the best case an irresponsible weakening of it.

The heroic figure of Hindenburg has been tested in war and peace, in times glorious and dark. He enjoys unique respect both at home and abroad. In contract, his opponents, chosen for partisan reasons and burdened by partisan politics, sink into insignificance. Their path to power is through rabble-rousing and demagoguery. They would exercise power through incompetence and violence.

The attempt to save the German people from this election failed. The partisan near-sightedness of certain circles has forced this important matter into the depths of partisan squabbling and egotistical calculation — despite the will of the best and most responsible elements of the nation. We missed a unique opportunity to unite our domestic peaceful forces to face the world.

In conscious opposition to such turmoil, and confident of the agreement and support of countless people’s comrades outside our ranks, we members of the German Center Party affirm our support of Hindenburg, regardless of all political and religious barriers. We do this for reasons of statesmanship and the unity of the spirit of our people. With joy and determination, we declare him our candidate, convinced that we can do no greater service to the recovery of our common fatherland in peace and freedom. Ignoring all that separates us, 13 March will be an affirmation of the unified patriotic will of our people, an affirmation of our spirit of community.

We therefore call on our friends in the cities and countryside to realize the importance of this election and the magnitude of their responsibility. Rise or fall, peace or war, construction or destruction depend on the wisdom and strength of character of the leadership, on intellectual and moral maturity, on the consistency and impartiality of the man in whose hands will be placed the responsibility for Germany’s fate in these grave days.

We have made our choice. He is the worthiest ever born to a German mother for this time of need. Germany’s recovery is bound to the name Hindenburg. For us, he is the ideal of German brotherhood and German unity, the guarantee of a happy future.