Franklin Delano Roosevelt campaigned at Hampton Beach on July 17, 1932 during his first run for the Presidency. The only mention the local paper made of the visit was the following editorial, which was not in the least impressed. For more on the visit, see this web page.
The Governor's Visit
An Editorial
Hampton Union and Rockingham County Gazette, July 21, 1932
[The following article is courtesy of the Hampton Union]
Governor Roosevelt's visit to our beach was a distinct disappointment to many, for although we believe implicitly in the observence of the Sabbath, we can think of no more holy work than to bring good tidings to a sorely tried people. We doubt if a few words of wisdom, a constructive plan out of our difficulties, would have offended anyone present. Your pastor or priest knows no day when ministration to the sick of soul is taboo, neither does your physician find the Sabbath too holy to minister to those sick of body. America today is sick in body and soul. Any day will be thrice blessed which produces a panacea.
So far the only panacea offered by the party, which governor Roosevelt has been chosen to lead, has been the Repeal of the 18th Amendment. The legalized sale of young manhood and young womanhood doesn't sound good does it? Well, it isn't good. We can punish their illegal sale if we have the right men in office - we cannot punish their legal sale.
If one listens to the idle talk so common today one would receive the impression that the old time liquor dealer was a thorough going philanthropist. Was he? The most beautiful estates, the finest equipages, the rarest of jewels were the prperty of the wholesale liquor dealer. Millions of dollars' worth of property in breweries have been idle during our years of prohibition - who paid the freight? The man who stood on the rail side of the bar, and the younger he was the more welcome he was.
But, you say, we have prohibition, and liquor is sold just the same. Surely it is, and will be so long as the decent people of this good country have spines of jelly.