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Northwestern University, Mock Political Convention, April 12, 1960
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Northwestern University, Mock Political Convention, April 12, 1960
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The original documents are located in Box D15, folder "Northwestern University, Mock
Political Convention, April 12, 1960" of the Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary
and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. The Council donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box D15 of The Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
April 12, 1960
Remarks of Rep. Gerald R. Ford, Jr.
1960 Northwestern University
MOCK POLITICAL CONVENTION
Evanston, Illinois
Approximately 25 years ago at the University of Michigan I participated in
campus political activity and a Mock Convention and like you was opportuned to join
battle in the political arena. In 1935 voters, young and old, Democrats, Republicans,
and Independents were subjected to the political and economic views of such men as
Senator Huey Long, Dr. Townsend, Henry Wallace, Norman Thomas, and Howard Scott of
technocracy fame. In this turbulent political environment, after carefully analyzing
the pros anc cons, I made up my own mind to be a Republican. This decision I have
never regretted.
In 1960 each of you are offered similar opportunities to be a part of America's
political life. I hope it means more than dutifully casting your vote regularly in
local, state, and national elections. It should encompass active participation in
the party organization of your choice and in addition becoming a candidate for public
office. I strongly urge that each of you maximize your interest in the broad spectrum
of politics. May I say with emphasis the development of your political philosophy and
the selection of your political party are matters of major concern.
I am here this evening to help focus your attention upon the Republican record
and to urge serious consideration of the sound basic principles upon which that record
rests.
As responsible young people on the threshold of a new and different life, you
have a keen personal interest in the policies and practices of the Federal Government.
The Republican Party offers you a program of "Opportunity with Security." It is an
invigorating program dedicated to the preservation of individual freedom for each and
to the promotion of the general welfare for all.
What more can any Federal Administration offer to its young people than a
period of peace, ample opportunities for employment, good wages, an expanding economy,
a stable currency, a responsible handling of all governmental affairs, freedom of
individual action, and a healthy community life?
PEACE! The young people in the audience have fortunately not been called to
battle line military service. Previous generations in America have known the horrors
of war. Since 1900 we have had two world-wide military struggles and Korea. Eisenhower
has known war; he helped to win one in Europe. Ike also stopped on honorable terms
-2-
the fighting in Korea. But more significant, he has kept the peace. This peace offers
each of you the opportunities which war only destroys. This peace provides you the
prime security on which all other aspirations are built.
Bold action in Berlin, Lebanon, and Formosa has thwarted the Communist aggressor.
Cooperative action through the United Nations and with our allies has preserved the
free nations of the world.
I can say categorically as an 8-year member of the Committee on Defense Depart-
ment Appropriations that the United States is by far the most powerful nation on earth.
As President Eisenhower recently said, we have "an indestructible force of incalculable
power, ample for today and constantly developing to meet the needs of tomorrow."
May I say parenthetically, don't be fooled by Democratic claims that we have
not and are not spending enough for national defense and space exploration. If it
is true, this is a fraudulent political charge from the Democrats because from 1955 to
the present Democratic-controlled Congresses with substantial majorities have slashed
Ike's defense budgets by $3.5 billion. In the last two years the Democratically
dominated House and Senate have reduced the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
budgets by approximately $80 million.
Any enemy foolish enough to provoke war will be annihilated. There is no
deterrent gap now nor will there be one. It is Republican policy to maintain a powerful
defense posture with overwhelming retaliatory force but only to insure the peace. The
peace which gives you "opportunity with security." Mr. Butler may explain or excuse
this, but the facts remain: we are at peace!
EMPLOYMENT AND WAGES! When I left college in 1935, graduates were begging for
jobs. By 1952 that had been changed, and today and during the last several years
trained and talented people, whether from the schoolhouse or the shop, are in great
demand. Today, there are 5 million more jobs in America than there were in 1952 when
Ike was elected. This means 5 million more opportunities for you and other young
people throughout the country.
And earnings are up! In 1952 the average weekly wage of industrial workers
was $67.97. In 1960 it is over $90. This is an increase of 23 percent. In 1952 only
26 percent of American families earned over $5,000. Today almost half have an annual
income over this figure. Furthermore, engineering graduates in 1950 were offered
beginning salaries of about $255 a month. The University of Illinois today reports
that its engineering majors are being offered $525 a month to start. You can look
forward to ever giester material rewards for your employment efforts. It is Republican
-3-
policy to promote and encourage an economic climate conducive to full employment, high
wages, and adequate returns on savings and investments.
The policy works. You have opportunities and security. More jobs are available
than ever before. Wages and salaries are up. Real income, and that's what counts, is
mounting. Business is at a high level and moving steadily forward with confidence. This
is Republicanism in action. Mr. Butler may explain or excuse this, but the facts remain:
your opportunities for secure employment at good wages were never better. These
opportunities are here because the American people, employers and employees, have an
abiding faith in our system with its sound leadership in the White House.
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY! Republicans are dedicated to preserving the value of
your dollar. We believe that you want the dollar you earn today to be a dollar tomorrow
or next year. We know that only with a stable dollar can you save and plan for your
future. We know that constant deficit spending by Uncle Sam destroys your savings
and your plans.
The record on inflation is clear. The cost of living went up 50 percent in
the 7 years of the Truman administration. From 1939 to 1952 the purchasing power of
the dollar declined from 100c to 52c for an average loss of nearly 4c a year. This
was no accident. It was consistent with governmental policy and practice of that era.
In contrast, during the 7 years of the Eisenhower Administration the cost of living
has risen only 9 percent. The purchasing power of your dollar declined only about 1c
a year. Again, this was no accident. This relative stability was basically achieved
by determination to adhere to sound theories of economics and by affirmative action
against "the spenders." This stability was achieved by saying "NO" to many special
interest groups who wanted their cut of your tax money. Inflation, which always robs
the pockets of the poor and grabs insidiously from the savings of the aged, has been
slowed down to a crawl by the common sense of fiscal integrity--of insisting that Uncle
Sam do his utmost to live within his income.
To spend into debt may be easier, more palatable, and even more popular. But
Republicans view the future as well as the present. No member of the Congress or the
Executive Branch of the Government for the past 30 years should be proud of the $290
billion debt our generations have left to you. Republicans want our federal government
to pay its own way. If we are to have, we should pay. If the "spenders" will increase
taxes to pay the bills, we will hold our fire. As responsible college men and women,
you understand this simple truth, I'm sure.
-4-
Let me assure you that I am setting up no "straw men." Those in control of
the Congress have proposed legislation which would add $152.3 billion to normal spending
over a five-year period. On the other hand, they have proposed no legislation to
supply the funds.
Some Democrats in the Congress have called Ike and the Republicans "penny-
pinchers." Let me remind you that President Eisenhower has recommended expenditures
for 1961 of $79.8 billion with approximately 55 percent of every tax dollar devoted to
national security. Only three budgets in the history of our country have carried
greater expenditures, one was the Eisenhower budget of 1959 and the others were World
War II budgets. $79.8 billion is not peanuts. As you and your parents know, it takes
quite a chunk of money out of every pay check. You who have struggled or are struggling
with Form 1040 know, too, that it takes too many of your dollars to make $80 billion
for Uncle Sam.
It is Republican policy to keep as much as possible of your own hard-earned
money in your own pocket for disposal as you please. As college young people at the
threshold of a working-earning experience, you want to keep as much of the fruits of
your labors as possible. The "political spenders" want Uncle Sam to grab more.
Republicans want you to keep more. Mr. Butler may explain or excuse this, but the
facts remain: Republicans demand a fiscally responsible government, less spending,
and less taxes. Republicans want you to have personal opportunities with security.
*******
INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM: We are often told that college students are "liberal" in
their political thinking. We may have trouble defining the word "liberal." But I
know that the historic "liberal" was the one who defended the rights of the individual.
Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, Grover Cleveland, Woodrow Wilson fought to protect
the individual citizen against great power of any type--governmental or economic. It
is the Republican Party which today continues this fight to protect you as an indi-
vidual. It leads the crusade for you as a person against domination and control by
big government, big business, or big labor.
Republicans have faith in the ability of citizens of local communities and of
each state to meet and solve local and state problems. They don't think every tough
problem must be solved by Uncle Sam with an outpouring of federal dollars. Republicans
know that you have the best government when you as citizens and voters are close to
it and active in it. We see no special merit in concentrating greater and greater
power in Washington. We have faith that you as intelligent, responsible citizens have
the ability to handle many of your own problems locally.
-5-
When we get to specifics on human rights and individual freedom, the picture
is perfectly clear. Let me emphasize, it is not the Republicans who have been consuming
days, and weeks, and months, and nights in the United States Senate to oppose civil
rights--in this instance the Constitutionally guaranteed right to vote. Mr. Butler
well knows this roadblocking of the legislative process came from the members of his
Democratic Party. It is Republican policy followed by action both in the Congress and
in the Executive Branch to guarantee to all citizens the rights and privileges of the
U. S. Constitution.
In reference to the negro effort in the South, no responsible Republican leader
could say, "If anyone came to my store and sat down, I'd throw him out
Private
business has its own rights and can do what it wants." These are the words of a
Democratic ex-President, a so-called "liberal" if you please. The Republican Party
united and determined, is dedicated to "human rights." It believes in "opportunity
with security" for all Americans.
The Taft-Hartley Act enacted by a Republican Congress over the veto of a
Democratic President and the Landrum-Griffin bill strongly endorsed by a Republican
President were designed to protect your individual rights as an employee and as a
member of a labor organization. Republicans know that unions are here to stay; they
acknowledge that unions are necessary and that they serve a good purpose with honest
and dedicated leadership. Republicans insist, however, that unions exist to serve
their members. The rights of each working man must be protected against any force
which would harm or abuse him as a person. We believe in responsible unions as we
believe in responsible management in order to offer each of you an opportunity with
security.
I must point out one more fact in this connection. It is impressive to note
that the Eisenhower Republican Administration has brought 12 percent more anti-trust
suits against big business in the past seven years than the previous Democratic Ad-
ministration did in its seven years. It is Republican policy to protect the individual
rights of all American citizens. Mr.Butler may deny or explain this, but the facts
remain: The Republicans are united in their fight on behalf of the individual's rights
and freedoms.
*******
COMMUNITY WELFARE: Finally, Republicans know that as individuals we have group
and community needs which can best be met by Government. Long ago Abe Lincoln of
Illinois said, "The legitimate object of government is to do for a community of people
whatever they need to have done, but cannot do at all or cannot so well do, for themselves
in their separate and individual capacities."
-6-
In those areas where Uncle Sam is equipped to do the job and there is no
acceptable or desirable alternative, the Federal Government should take over.
Let us not forget that:
More money has been apportioned to the states for highways under the Eisenhower
Administration than during the previous 40 years.
More than twice as many school classrooms have been built during the 6 years
of thie Administration than during the 6 years of the Truman Administration.
Over 4 times as much money has been appropriated for medical research than
under the Truman Administration.
8 million more Americans have Social Security today than had it in 1952 and
benefits have been increased by 48 percent.
This has all happened under a Republican Administration. Mr. Butler may attempt
to explain it away, but the facts remain: The Republicans offer you opportunities
with security.
Now when you and your fellow Americans enter that polling boeth and solemnly
cast a ballot you will decide whether to continue America on the course of peace as
achieved by the foreign policy of the past eight years--a foreign policy which ended
one war, has prevented others and has opened the way toward even sounder peace through
developing negotiation at the highest level.
Each voter will also decide whether to continue America in the prosperity-for-all
course which has been achieved by the domestic policies followed in the past eight
years--domestic policies which have given the people the greatest number of jobs, the
best pay, the least inflation, the steadiest prices and the most assured family security
of our times.
The 1960s will rank in history as among the greatest of decades which holds,
at its beginning, the twin challenges of the most awesome peril and most promising
opportunity of all time.
The people will decide, I feel certain, to continue onward in sound and steady
progress the policies which have avoided peril and reaped opportunity for our country
and the free world in the past eight years.
In making these decisions, I have confidence that you and the American people
will not choose, in this critical era, any untried candidate as a substitute for the
demonstrated talent, experience, and success of Dick Nixon.
It is Dick Nixon who will carry forward the Republican policies for opportunity
with security for all.