“Those of us who shout the loudest about Americanism
in making character assassinations are all too frequently those who, by our own
words and acts, ignore some of the basic principles of Americanism:
The right to criticize;
The right to hold unpopular
beliefs;
The right to protest;
The right of independent thought.
“The exercise of these rights should not cost one
single American citizen his reputation or his right to a livelihood nor should
he be in danger of losing his reputation or livelihood merely because he
happens to know someone who holds unpopular beliefs. Who of us doesn’t? Otherwise none of us could call our souls our
own. Otherwise thought control would
have set in.” — Margaret Chase Smith (1897-1995),
Republican Senator from Maine, “Declaration of Conscience,” speech to the U.S. Senate, June 1, 1950
Speaking on behalf of herself and six other Republican Senators, Senator Smith warned fellow party members about abetting the tactics of GOP colleague Joseph McCarthy. Look in vain for her like among today’s
Republicans on Capitol Hill. The only ones willing to denounce the reckless
charges coming from a figure far more consequential than McCarthy are those who
will not be facing primary voters.
Read Smith’s words, then weep that her kind is no
more.
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