DECLARATION OF CONSCIENCE

Margaret Chase Smith (12/14/1897 – 5/29/1995) was a Senator and one of the most successful politicians in Maine history.She was the first woman to be elected to both the United States House of Representatives and the Senate, and the first woman from Maine to serve in either. She was also the first woman to have her name placed in nomination for the title President of the United States at a major party’s convention, the 1964 Republican Convention, won by Barry Goldwater. A Liberal/Republican, included with those known as “Rockefeller Republicans.” When she left office, Smith had the record as the longest-serving female senator in United States history, ranking 11th in seniority among the members of the Senate, a distinction that has not been surpassed.

On June 1, 1950 Senator Smith made a 15 minute speech, aimed at Senator Joe McCarthy, and his Un-American Activities Committee and the hateful rhetoric that was beginning dominate the political landscape.  Although sixty years ago, the world was a different place with different enemies, there are many similarities one could draw with what is happening today. The violent rhetoric, that is becoming the norm, is effecting and inflaming sections of the population, and obstructionist policies are fanning the flames.

She called her speech a “Declaration of Conscience.” Excerpts below:

Mr. President:

I would like to speak briefly and simply about a serious national condition. It is a national feeling of fear and frustration that could result in national suicide and the end of everything that we Americans hold dear. It is a condition that comes from the lack of effective leadership in either the Legislative Branch or the Executive Branch of our Government.

She stated the basic principles of “Americanism” were:

• The right to criticize;
• The right to hold unpopular beliefs;
• The right to protest;
• The right of independent thought.

Smith strongly voiced concern that those who exercised those beliefs at that time risked being labeled a communist or fascist.

In the Declaration of Conscience, Smith said,

The Democratic Party administration has greatly lost the confidence of the American people by its complacency to the threat of communism and the leak of vital secrets to Russia through key officials of the Democratic administration. There are enough proved cases to make this point without diluting our criticism with unproved charges,
Surely these are sufficient reasons to make it clear to the American people that it is time for a change and that a Republican victory is necessary to the security of this country.

As an American, I condemn a Republican “Fascist” just as much I condemn a Democratic “Communist.” I condemn a Democrat “Fascist” just as much as I condemn a Republican “Communist.” They are equally dangerous to you and me and to our country. As an American, I want to see our nation recapture the strength and unity it once had when we fought the enemy instead of ourselves.

Surely it is clear that this nation will continue to suffer as long as it is governed by the present ineffective Democratic Administration. Yet to displace it with a Republican regime embracing a philosophy that lacks political integrity or intellectual honesty would prove equally disastrous to this nation.

The nation sorely needs a Republican victory. But I don’t want to see the Republican Party ride to political victory on the Four Horsemen of Calumny – “Ignorance” “Fear” “Bigotry” and Smear. I doubt if the Republican Party could – simply because I don’t believe the American people will uphold any political party that puts political exploitation above national interest.

It is with these thoughts that I have drafted what I call a “Declaration of Conscience.”  I am gratified that Senator Tobey, Senator Aiken, Senator Morse, Senator Ives, Senator Thye, and Senator Hendrickson have concurred in that declaration and have authorized me to announce their concurrence.

Italicized emphasis is mine.

There is nothing new in the world is there. Full text of Senator Margaret Chase Smith’s speech HERE.

Happy

0 0 %

Sad

0 0 %

Excited

0 0 %

Sleepy

0 0 %

Angry

0 0 %

Surprise

0 0 %