The Democrats in 1932

The Vossische Zeitung wrote in issue #77 of 15 February 1932:

“The mass meeting at which Hindenburg accepted the nomination to run for a second term of office is a truly historic moment... Thus speaks a man in whom the best characteristics of the old army still live... Hindenburg has a life of accomplishment and fame behind him... But he knows that no one shines over the German lands more than he, who is a true national representation of the joining together of all forces... When a man such as Field marshal von Hindenburg, who is respected and admired around the world even by former enemies, speaks of submitting to being a candidate, that must touch the heart even of the most determined party fanatic... He who supports Hindenburg does not ask about the advantage or disadvantage for his own party, but rather what Hindenburg is and what he wants to do... The Left does not think of claiming Hindenburg for its own. It knows that he is rooted in the past and will never deny his sense of tradition... The election campaign will be brief, but since it cannot be avoided, at least let it be conducted in an honorable manner.”

Vossische Zeitung, Nr. 78 of 16 February 1932:

“Field Marshal von Hindenburg decided to accept the nomination because he wished to put an end to the blatant and tactless attempts of the radicals of the Right to make his candidacy a matter of political cattle trading, attempts that were made repeatedly despite his firm rejection of them. The attempts awakened the fight instincts of this old soldier. Hindenburg is running not only because of a sense of duty, but because of the challenge.”

Berliner Tageblatt, Nr. 78 of 16 February 1932:

“The louder and more furious the cries from the throats of the National Socialists become, the more sympathy, trust, and thankfulness all honorable friends of the fatherland will have for that monumental figure who stands in the way of this greedy, brutal, threatening, and violent storm that is capable only of destruction... [T]he parties, public circles, and persons who, despite their various views, have joined the democratic ranks do not for a moment claim Hindenburg as the carrier of their banner. Over the past seven years, they have come to have confidence in his absolute loyalty, they have learned to respect his gnarled but upright character, have realized with thanks that he has an unshakable will to be the greatest defender of the constitution, but they also know how different his worldview is from theirs. They see in him the strongest guarantee for the safety of the state against destruction and civil war, as something of a strong tower against which the howling demagogues must fail... Those who call themselves the enemies of the today’s system were invited, flattered, treated as if they were the only ones who counted among those voting for the president, offered the seat of honor. They did not want it.”

Berliner Tageblatt, Nr. 77 of 15 February 1932:

“By accepting candidacy for the Reich presidential election, the Reich President justified the confidence that a large part of his voters of 1925 placed in him. Hindenburg now stands before the voters as a people’s candidate... His statement contains nothing that suggests that he has accepted any kind of condition that would require a change of direction, although the Stahlhelm’s official statement this afternoon suggested that. Hindenburg’s statement is absolutely clear. It can be understood only as saying that, however much he may have in common with his former military comrades in the Stahlhelm, he rejects any sort of political condition from their side on which their support of his candidacy may depend.”