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Commencement Address, Spring Arbor College, May 31, 1965
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The original documents are located in Box D18, folder "Commencement Address, Spring
Arbor College, May 31, 1965" 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States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.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 D18 of the Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
Commencement Address
Spring Arbor College
May 31, 1965
In humanity's search for progress, some say there is an air of
uncertainty, an uneasy fatalism, because not enough know the answers. I
take strong exception to this doctrine of pessimism.
There is strong evidence and reassuring proof that a responsible
majority of our citizens faces the challenges of 1965 America with strong
moral convictions and intelligent optimism.
Graduation time here and on other campuses across our land is the
answer to the critics, the prophets of doen and despair who see only
stagg@ring adversity rather than the accomplishments and dedication of a
free Nation.
Certainly, there is armed conflict, the terror of gunfire, the
viciousness of aggression in the world. This is an inescapable fact of
our times. However, I believe this Nation is joined in unwavering purpose
FORD i LIBRARY GERALD
-2-
and strong unity to the proposition of eventual peace in the world.
There may be differences as to the mathods of achieving international
tranquility, but there is overwhelming agreement as to the desperately-needed
result.
And most certainly there are domestic problems -- diseases to conquer,
social ills to cure, large areas of our country to rehabilitate, challenges
everywhere. In this area there are also differences of opinion among
responsible citizens as to the ways and means of solving the problems.
More importantly, there are hopeful signs that our Nation has the
unlimited patience, the imagination, the willingness to secrifice, the
confidence and courage to make the future better than the past -- without
losing or forssking our hard-won traditions of a free Republic.
Institutions of higher learning, religiously-criented colleges,
universities, schools large and small, face a remarkable opportunity for
intellectual adventure.
DERALD FORD LIBRARY
-3-
The opportunity includes the encouragement of independent effort,
the development of self-discipline, the opening of minds and hearts to
the great truths -- some of them yet to be discovered.
Certainly, the concept of Spring Arbor College is a splendid blend
of these qualities which are peramount in the search for knowledge.
I understand that your college is dedicated to assisting students
to become seriously involved in the study of liberal arts, thoroughly
committed to Christian values, and alert to responsibilities and opportunities
as intelligent citizens in the contemporary world.
A Nation challenged by the threat of Communism on the outside and the
dangers of an irresponsible, restless minority within, needs each of you, and
must exhibit a national unity.
Away from our homeland, we are fighting Communist aggression in two
hemispheres. A major battleground is in Viet Nam where the President has
committed troops, planes, and ships.
DERALD FORD LIBRARY
+
Some 6,000 miles from the Viet Nam scene of strife and war, there
is trouble in the Dominican Republic, which, too, to the result of Commist
leaders creating turnoil and conflict.
Just 90 miles from the United States -- in Cuba -- Fidel Castro is
the generalissimo of Communism in this hemisphere. He is the arsonist, the
fire-starter in Latin America.
While we are engaged in fighting Communism abroad, there are
dangerously significant events taking place on the domestic scena which,
though isolated, threaten potentially precarious eruptions in the land of
freedom.
I mention several instances only to focus attention on the need for
strong national unity and a special awareness among all segments of our
society that forces of irresponsible dissent are active in our land.
State Department representatives have been given boorish receptions
by 8 small minority of students at two state universities. At another
prominent educational institution, pickets forced cancelation of a ceremony
GERALD
-5-
to award members of the university's Naval Reserve unit. Class was broken
and police officers were roughed up. On another campus a United States
ambassador was the target of hecklers who shouted "liss" while he vas
speaking on foreign policy. When he asked "How many of you are Communists?"
a number of hands were raised.
We are well sware of the "teach-ins" and "peace demonstrations" which
have created furor, angry argument and violance across the Nation.
There is documented evidence, which I have received from a person in
a high Federal agency, to confirm an impression which many have expressed
that leaders of the Comminist Party have been active on a number of college
and university campuses. Although their avowed purpose was not to sell
Communism, it is obvious they attempted to raise doubts and questions in the
minds of their audiences whenever they have had an opportunity to speak.
These attitudes could have been translated into demonstrations, when a few
militants with strong voices and bad manners caused some short-lived turmoil.
GERALD LIBRARY
-6-
However, 1 emphasize that to view these isolated protests as
indicative of today's college generation would mean dignifying the questionable
antics of a very tiny, angry minority.
In contrest to some outbursts of irresponsibility, there are numerous
examples of young men and women using their grit and energies to give of
themselves for the sake of followmen, to effectively right the wrongs
committed by other students, to demonstrate the great wealth of ability with
which today's generation is endowed.
When 75 sit-ins at a large university tried to halt an ROTC ceremony,
they were surrounded by a spontaneous turnout of 4,000 students, and the
event continued without a hitch.
When the Mississippi River's worst floods in modern history threatened
entire communities the past Spring, thousands of college students helped tip
the balance against the rampaging waters.
Up and down the River determined young people pitched in with the
margin of nerve and muscle that won the battle against the flood-tide.
GERALD, LIBRARY
-7-
The heroic and unselfish acts of those young people bear no
resemblance to the headlines which have blatantly described their generation
as lost and troubled, wayward and fickle, in a sweeping, all encompassing
and undeserved indictment.
All over this Republic, thousands and thousands of young people are
contributing to the forward progress of mankind. They work as volunteers
in hospitals, for community projects, in libraries, in social agencies.
A record number of students are working their way through school.
Employment agencies report that young people seeking summer and vacation
jobs for exceed the number of employment possibilities.
Dedicated to earning an education, young people wash cars, paint
houses, work in garages, wait on table, wash dishes, direct playground
activities, counsel at camps, now lawns, perform a thousand and one tasks.
Later, when they've completed their education, they will become our
physicians and attorneys, scientists and business executives, teachers and
researchers. They will form the young nucleus of a responsible, progressive
FORD & LIBRARY DENAL
-8-
seciety
.and you, the first graduating seniors of Spring Arbor College,
are among them.
Answering the critics who allege signs of physical and mental Lack
of courage in the present generation, I point again to the military situation
in our Republic's fight to help other nations in the free world.
Recently, the Morine Corps, which is on hazardous duty in areas of
combat, reported it had mat all its personnel needs by enlistments. Young
man volunteered to 8 hurry to fill the quota of 26,500 which the Corps needed
during the past ten months to maintain its strength in the ranks.
Yes, young Americans are not only ready to defend the cause of
freedom, they are stepping forward on their own at a time when the Nation
and the free world needs them.
The overwhelming majority of young people today -- as in the past --
are fine, dedicated, thoughtful, resourceful citizens. It is most obvious
that today's student generation has been right all along while being merely
exposed to public misunderstanding by a very small minority on acins campuses.
GERALD
187891
-9-
At this point, I especially selute and congratulate the student body
of Spring Arbor College for its patriotic, responsible conduct while we have
seen demonstrations of dissent on some other campuses throughout the State
and Nation.
We cannot label the current college generation with a common descriptive
phrase. There are many Eaces and moods on the campuses today, and perhaps
it is well that they do not fit into a rigid pattern of regimentation.
Individual freedom of action and choice, within the franswork of the
law and the orderly processes, gives each person a choice without being
crowded into the position of accepting one pattern, one way of life, if he
has preferred alternatives. In a word, this is -- freedom.
We all know so very wall that the intelligence of responsible scholars
is needed in many areas of our business, industrial, economic and social life --
and most certainly in government.
GERALD FORD LIBRAST
-10-
Without indulging in partisanship, I urge that you become involved
in the political world; that you become a part of an informed, civically
militant electorate.
It seems to se that too many Americans pride themselves as being
political independents. These are the citizens who vote once every four
years, who decline political partishnship with many excuses, who criticize
both political parties.
Our Democrat friends and my own Party, it seems to me, should direct
much of our major efforts toward helping each of these well-meaning Americans
choose a political party.
The choice of being either a Republican or a Democrat should be made
only after cerefully studying the philosophies of each party. Perhaps,
some will switch alliances. This is a choice under freedom.
Our Nation needs a strong two-party system. It is Democracy's
assurance against any drift toward authoritarianism. Conversely, X. crushing
FORD i LIBRARY GERALD
-11-
over-balance of strength in either party for too long will make a mockery
of our traditions in government and will weaken the voice of the people.
Our two-party system, although not written into the Constitution,
builds into government an additional set of checks and balances.
Early in our history, a wise decision was made to follow the pattern
of a two-party frauswork. Thus, we avoided the loss of freedom that
accompanies a one-party government; we were spared the chaos and confusion
of a multi-party government.
Not only do two strong political parties provide the electorate with
legislative alternatives, but also the means for attaining a high level of
honesty and frankness.
A current social philosopher has so well pointed out that the strength
of our form of government lies not so such in the fact that we always elect
the best person to office, but rather that the electorate can always remove
an unwerthy official from office by exercising the voting franchise.
FORD is LIBRARY GERALD
-12-
Hand-in-hand with the need for two strong political parties in the
American democracy is the necessity for a proper balance in the legislative,
executive and judicial branches of government.
When the balance in Congress is steeply and dangerously tilted by
an overwhelming majority in efther political party, our system of checks
and balances is in jeepardy.
The legislative-executive-judicial balance, as established by OUR
Constitution, is 8 simple, yet ingentous, system of insuring our freedom.
Certainly, there is criticism of Congress, the legislative branch.
I believe this to a manifestation of our frustrations -- the tensions built
up by a prolonged cold war and recent strife in two hemispheres, the
existence of poverty in the midst of plenty, the highly-complex problems
linked with urbanized living, the gap between the American Ideal of equality
and its realization.
of Congress, perhaps the critics would say, "Let's stop talking and
stalling and get things done."
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
-13-
Congress was designed to be a deliberative body with Representatives
in the House and two Senstors from each State bearing the responsibility of
reaching majority decisions, but only after thorough study and debate.
For those who view Congress as too cumbersome, too old-fashioned,
too slow to act, there are two sound answers.
First, the two houses of Congress have repeatedly proved they can
act with calculated swiftness to meet crisis -- domestic or foreign.
Second, the advantages of precipitous action are often outweighed
by the safeguard of deliberation and the resulting slowness.
with a balance of power in the Congress, there is no chance of racing
to the brink of decision with the possibility of tumbling into the yawning
chasm of irresponsibility.
The power of the executive branch -- the White House -- the President --
is given awesome proportions when one political party dominates the Congress
and also elects the Chief Executive. Great power in a Democracy should require
great self-restraint. And if power is consistently used improperly, it
could GERALD FORD LIBRARY
mean the eventual death of the two-party system.
-14-
For this reason I have proposed that when both the Executive and
Legislative branches are dominated by the same political party -- and it
matters not which -- the Committees on Government Operations of the House
and Senate should be under the control of the minority party. These
committees have a special responsibility to investigate official action
within the Executive branch of the government.
With besad investigating authority, this arrengement would provide
an effective vehicle to assure that the voice of the minority would be heard
and that the best interests of our citizens and texpayers would be protected.
The majority would be constantly on notice that its actions or inactions
were subject to thorough and critical review.
The duty of the third branch of government -- the Federal Judiciary --
La to interpret and apply the Constitution and the laws.
When the Budicial branch arbitrarily elbows its way to new positions
of authority, it disregards the wise suggestions of judicial restraint made
by the late Justice Frankfurter and others.
GERALD LIBRARY
-15-
When the Suprome Court ordered states to resporttion on the "one-man,
one-vote" concept, Justice Frankfurter in a dissenting opinion was critical
of an assumption by the Court of "destructively nevel judicial power."
"In this situation, as in others of like nature, appeal for relief
does not belong here," Justice Frankfurter wrote. "Appeal must be made to
an informed electerate," he explained, and added: "In a democratic society
like ours, relief must come through an aroused public conscience that sears
the conscience of the people's representatives."
In concluding, I emphasize that azong the challenges of our time and
capecially for those of your generation are the strengthening of the
two-party system and the re-establishment of balance in the three branches
of government.
What are your guidelines in helping to preserve our Democracy?
Where do you start?
LIBRARI
-16-
First of all, you have the power of knowledge to analyze and
interpret the Issues of our age. You have the intellectual ability to
study the philosophies of both major political parties to help you make
a choice. You have the proved willingness to sacrifice -- to give more
of yourselves than you receive. You have strengthened your basic Christian
values which give meaning to life and purpose to our endedvor.
You have demonstrated your ability to accept challenges, to work
very hard to meet them, to accept new ideas, to eagerly learn.
As young scholars, as loyal members of a free Republic, as knowledgeable
persons asbarked on chesen careers, as dedicated servants of God, you can take
the extra step toward helping to make this a better Nation and a better world
for others and yourselves.
You can accept even greater responsibilities in an exciting, damanding
and changing world by becoming active in politics
as voters, as taxpayers,
as partisans, as party workers, yes, even as candidates for public office.
FORD j LIBRARY QERALD
=17-
I congratulate you for your achievements in education, which we
salute here today. And, I an confident you will grow in these qualities
of good citizenship which will enable our Republic to survive and prosper,
and to accept the responsibilities of leadership in today's and tonorrow's
world.
FORD i LIBRARY CERALD
Commencement Address
Preadent Mc Kenna -
Spring Arbor College
May 31, 1965
I Graduates - first
Inaugeral Convacation 1963 - Rommy -
Christian Perspective in The Tohnel anto
In humanity's search for progress, some say there is an air of
and
uncertainty, an uneasy fatalism, because not enough know the answers. I
take strong exception to this doctrine of pessimism.
There is strong evidence and reassuring proof that a responsible
majority of our citizens faces the challenges of 1965 America with strong
moral convictions and intelligent optimism.
Graduation time here and on other campuses across our land is the
answer to the critics, the prophets of doom and despair who see only
staggering adversity rather than the accomplishments and dedication of a
free Nation.
Certainly, there is armed conflict, the terror of gunfire, the
viciousness of aggression in the world. This is an inescapable fact of
our times. However, I believe this Nation is joined in unwavering purpose
FORD i LIBRARY GERALD
-2-
and strong unity to the proposition of eventual peace in the world.
There may be differences as to the methods of achieving international
tranquility, but there is overwhelming agreement as to the desperately-needed
result.
And most certainly there are domestic problems -- diseases to conquer,
social ills to cure, large areas of our country to rehabilitate, challenges
everywhere. In this area there are also differences of opinion among
responsible citizens as to the ways and means of solving the problems.
More importantly, there are hopeful signs that our Nation has the
unlimited patience, the imagination, the willingness to sacrifice, the
confidence and courage to make the future better than the past -- without
losing or forsaking our hard-won traditions of a free Republic.
Institutions of higher learning, religiously-oriented colleges,
universities, schools large and small, face a remarkable opportunity for
intellectual adventure.
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
-3-
The opportunity includes the encouragement of independent effort,
the development of self-discipline, the opening of minds and hearts to
the great truths -- some of them yet to be discovered.
Certainly, the concept of Spring Arbor College is a splendid blend
of these qualities which are paramount in the search for knowledge.
I understand that your college is dedicated to assisting students
to become seriously involved in the study of liberal arts, thoroughly
committed to Christian values, and alert to responsibilities and opportunities
as intelligent citizens in the contemporary world.
A Nation challenged by the threat of Communism on the outside and the
dangers of an irresponsible, restless minority within, needs each of you, and
must exhibit a national unity.
Away from our homeland, we are fighting Communist aggression in two
hemispheres. A major battleground is in Viet Nam where the President has
committed troops, planes, and ships.
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
-4-
Some 6,000 miles from the Viet Nam scene of strife and war, there
is trouble in the Dominican Republic, which, too, is the result of Communist
leaders creating turmoil and conflict.
Just 90 miles from the United States -- in Cuba -- Fidel Castro is
the generalissimo of Communism in this hemisphere. He is the arsonist, the
fire-starter in Latin America.
While we are engaged in fighting Communism abroad, there are
dangerously significant events taking place on the domestic scene which,
though isolated, threaten potentially precarious eruptions in the land of
freedom.
I mention several instances only to focus attention on the need for
strong national unity and a special awareness among all segments of our
society that forces of irresponsible dissent are active in our land.
State Department representatives have been given boorish receptions
by a small minority of students at two state universities. At another
FORD
prominent educational institution, pickets forced cancelation of a ceremony GERALD
LIBRARY
-5-
to award members of the university's Naval Reserve unit. Glass was broken
and police officers were roughed up. On another campus a United States
ambassador was the target of hecklers who shouted "liar" while he was
speaking on foreign policy. When he asked "How many of you are Communists?"
a number of hands were raised.
called
so
We are well aware of the "teach-ins" and "peace demonstrations" which
have created furor, angry argument and violence across the Nation.
There is documented evidence, which I have received from a person in
a high Federal agency, to confirm an impression which many have expressed
that leaders of the Communist Party have been active on a number of college
and university campuses. Although their avowed purpose was not to sell
Communism, it is obvious they attempted to raise doubts and questions in the
minds of their audiences whenever they have had an opportunity to speak.
These attitudes could have been translated into demonstrations, when a few
militants with strong voices and bad manners caused some short-lived turmoil.
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
-6-
However, I emphasize that to view these isolated protests as
indicative of today's college generation would mean dignifying the questionable
antics of a very tiny, angry minority.
In contrast to some outbursts of irresponsibility, there are numerous
examples of young men and women using their grit and energies to give of
themselves for the sake of fellowmen, to effectively right the wrongs
committed by other students, to demonstrate the great wealth of ability with
which today's generation is endowed.
When 75 sit-ins at a large university tried to halt an ROTC ceremony,
they were surrounded by a spontaneous turnout of 4,000 students, and the
event continued without a hitch.
When the Mississippi River's worst floods in modern history threatened
entire communities the past Spring, thousands of college students helped tip
the balance against the rampaging waters.
Up and down the River determined young people pitched in with the
margin of nerve and muscle that won the battle against the flood-tide.
BERALD FORD LIBRARY
-7-
The heroic and unselfish acts of those young people bear no
resemblance to the headlines which have blatantly described their generation
as lost and troubled, wayward and fickle, in a sweeping, all encompassing
and undeserved indictment.
All over this Republic, thousands and thousands of young people are
contributing to the forward progress of mankind. They work as volunteers
in hospitals, for community projects, in libraries, in social agencies.
A record number of students are working their way through school.
Employment agencies report that young people seeking summer and vacation
jobs far exceed the number of employment possibilities.
Dedicated to earning an education, young people wash cars, paint
houses, work in garages, wait on table, wash dishes, direct playground
productive
activities, counsel at camps, mow lawns, perform a thousand and one tasks.
Later, when they've completed their education, they will become our
physicians and attorneys, scientists and business executives, teachers and
researchers. They will form the young nucleus of a responsible, progressive RD
GERALD LIBRARY
-8-
society
and you, the first graduating seniors of Spring Arbor College,
are among them.
Answering the critics who allege signs of physical and mental lack
of courage in the present generation, I point again to the military situation
in our Republic's fight to help other nations in the free world.
Recently, the Marine Corps, which is on hazardous duty in areas of
combat, reported it had met all its personnel needs by enlistments. Young
men volunteered in a hurry to fill the quota of 26,500 which the Corps needed
during the past ten months to maintain its strength in the ranks.
Yes, young Americans are not only ready to defend the cause of
freedom, they are stepping forward on their own at a time when the Nation
and the free world needs them.
The overwhelming majority of young people today -- as in the past --
are fine, dedicated, thoughtful, resourceful citizens. It is most obvious
that today's student generation has been right all along while being merely
exposed to public misunderstanding by a very small minority on some campuses.
BERALT FORD LIBRARY
-9-
At this point, I especially salute and congratulate the student body
of Spring Arbor College for its patriotic, responsible conduct while we have
seen demonstrations of dissent on some other campuses throughout the State
and Nation.
We cannot label the current college generation with a common descriptive
phrase. There are many faces and moods on the campuses today, and perhaps
it is well that they do not fit into a rigid pattern of regimentation.
Individual freedom of action and choice, within the framework of the
law and the orderly processes, gives each person a choice without being
crowded into the position of accepting one pattern, one way of life, if he
has preferred alternatives. In a word, this is -- freedom.
We all know so very well that the intelligence of responsible scholars
is needed in many areas of our business, industrial, economic and social life --
and most certainly in government.
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
-10-
political
Without indulging ih partisanship, I urge that you become involved
in the political world; that you become a part of an informed, civically
militant electorate.
It seems to me that too many Americans pride themselves as being
political independents. These are the citizens who vote once every four
years, who decline political partisanship with many excuses, who criticize
both political parties.
Our Democrat friends and my own Party, it seems to me, should direct
much of our major efforts toward helping each of these well-meaning Americans
choose a political party.
The choice of being either a Republican or a Democrat should be made
only after carefully studying the philosophies of each party. Perhaps,
some will switch alliances. This is a choice under freedom.
Our Nation needs a strong two-party system. It is Democracy's
assurance against any drift toward tryaning authoritesjenism. Conversely, a crushing
BERALD ARE
-16-
First of all, you have the power of knowledge to analyze and
interpret the issues of our age. You have the intellectual ability to
study the philosophies of both major political parties to help you make
a choice. You have the proved willingness to sacrifice -- to give more
of yourselves than you receive. You have strengthened your basic Christian
values which give meaning to life and purpose to our endeavor.
You have demonstrated your ability to accept challenges, to work
deligently
verry trand to meet them, to accept new ideas, to eagerly learn.
As young scholars, as loyal members of a free Republic, as knowledgeable
persons embarked on chosen careers, as dedicated servants of God, you can take
the extra step toward helping to make this a better Nation and a better world
for others and yourselves.
You can accept even greater responsibilities in an exciting, demanding
and changing world by becoming active in politics
as voters, as taxpayers,
as partisans, as party workers, yes, even as candidates for public office.
FORD i LIBRARY GERALD
-17-
I congratulate you for your achievements in education, which we
salute here today. And, I am confident you will grow in those qualities
of good citizenship which will enable our Republic to survive and prosper,
and to accept the responsibilities of leadership in today's and tomorrow's
world.
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
Spring Arbor Commencement address
May 29, 1965
In humanity's search for progress some say there is an air of
uncertainity, an uneasy fatalism, because not enough know the answers.
I take strong exception to this doctrine of pessimism.
There is strong evidence and reassuring proof that a responsible
majority of our citizens faces the challenges of 1965 America with strong
moral convictions and intelligent optimism.
Graduation time here and on other campuses across our land is the
answer to the critics, the prophets of doom and despair who see only
staggering adversity rather than the accomplishments and dedication of
a free Nation.
Certainly, there is armed conflict, the terror of gunfire, the
viciousness of aggression in the world. This is an nescapable fact of our
m
times. However, I believe this Nation is mainly joined with unwavering
purpose and strong unity to the proposition of eventual peace in the world.
There may be differences as to the methods of achieving international
tranquility, but there is overwhelming agreement as to the desperately-needed
result.
And most certainly there are domestic problems diseases to conquer,
social ills to cure, large areas of our country to rehabilitate, challenges
everywhere. In this area there are also differences of opinion among
responsible citizens as to the ways and means of solving the problems.
-MORE- -
GERALD FORD LIBRARK
Spring Arbor commencement
-2-
More importantly, there are hopeful signs that our Nation has the
unlimited patience, the imagination, the willingness to sacrifice, the
confidence and courage to make the future better than the past--without
losing or for saking our hard-won traditions of a free Republic.
Institutions of higher learning, religiously-oriented colleges,
universities, schools large and small face a remarkable opportunity for
intellectual adventure.
The opportunity includes the encouragement of independent effort,
the development of self-discipline, the opening of minds and hearts to the
great truths---some of them yet to be discovered.
Certainly, the concept of Spring Arbor College is a splendid blend of
these qualities which are paramount in the search for knowledge.
I understand that your college is dedicated to assisting students to
become seriously involved in the study of liberal arts, thoroughly committed
to Christian values, and alert to responsibilities and opportunities as
intelligent citizens in the contemporary world.
A Nation challenged by the threat of Communism on the outside and the
dangers of an irresponsible, restless minority within, needs each of you, and
much
exhihta - national unity.
Away from bur homeland we are fighting Communist aggression in two
hemispheres. A major battleground is in Viet Nam where the President has
committed troops, planes, and ships.
Some 6,000 miles from the Viet Nam scene of strife and war there is
trouble in the Dominican Republic, which too is the result of Communist
GERALD FORD
-more-
Spring Arbor commencement
-3-
leaders creating turmoil and conflict.
Just 90 miles from the United States in Cuba, Fidel Castro is the
generalissimo of Communism in this hemisphere. He is the arsonist, the
fire-starter in Latin America.
While we are engaged in fighting Communism abroad, there are dangerously
significant events taking place on the domestic scene which through threaton
threaten
isolated, ^ but potentially precarious Deruptions in the land of freedom.
I mention several instances only to focus attention on the need for
strong national unity and a special awareness among all segments of our
society that forces of irresponsible dissent are active in our land,
State Department representatives have been given boorish receptions by
a small minority of students at two state universities. At another prominent
educational institution pickets forced cancellation of a ceremony to
award members of the university's Naval Reserve unit. Glass was broken
and police officers were roughed up. On another campus a United States
ambassador was the target of hecklers who shouted "liar" while he was
speaking on foreign policy. When he asked "How many of you are Communists?"
a number of hands were raised.
We are well aware of the "teach-ins" and "peace demonstrations" which
have created furor, angry argument and violence across the Nation.
There is documented evidence, which I have received from a person in
agency, to confirm an impressim which many
form
a high federal
that leaders of the Communist party have made sppeches
a number of name
have been active
on some college and university campuses. Although their avowed purpose was
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GERALD R.FORD LIBRARY
afreak.
Spring Arbor commencement
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Opportunity
not to sell Communism, it is obvious they attempted to raise doubts
whenever Thip love hal or
and questions in the minds of their audiences. These translated into
attaches could have been
demonstrations, when a few militants with strong voices and bad manners
caused some short-lived turmoil.
However, I emphasize that to view these isolated protests as
indictative of today's college generation would mean dignifying the
questionable presponsible antics of a very tiny, angry minority.
ame
In contrast to the outbursts of irresponsibility, there are numerous
examples of young men and women using their grit and energies to give
of themselves for the sake of fellowmen, to effectively right the wrongs
committed by other students, to demonstrate the great wealth of ability
with which today's generation is endowed.
When 75 sit-ins at a large university tried to halt an ROTC ceremony,
they were surrounded by a spontaneous turnout of
4,000 students and
continued
theyent
without a hitch.
When the Mississippi River's worst floods in modern history threatened
entire communities the past Pring, thousands of college students helped tip
the balance against the rampaging waters.
Up and down the river determined young people pitched in with the margin
of nerve and muscle that won the battle against the flood-tide.
The heroic and unselfish acts of those young people bear no resemblance
to the headlines which have blatantly described their generation as lost and
troubled, wayward and fickle, in a sweeping, all-encompassing and undeserved
indictment.
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Spring Arbor commencement
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All over this Republic, thousands and thousands of young people are
contributing to the forward progress of mankind. They work as volunteers
in hospitals, for community projects, in libraries, in social agencies.
A record number of students are working their way through school.
Employment agencies report that young people seeking summer and vacation
jobs far exceed the number of employment possibilities.
Dedicated to earning an education, young people wash cars, paint
houses, work in garages, wait on table, wash dishes, direct playground
activities, counsel at camps, mow lawns, perform a thousand and one
tasks.
Later, when they've completed their education, they will become our
physicians and attorneys, scientists and business executives, teachers
nucleus
and researchers. They will form the young of a responsible,
progressive society
and you, the first graduating seniors of Spring
Arbor College are among them.
Answering the critics who allege signs of physical and mental
lack of courage in the present generation, I point again to the military
situation in our Republic's fight to help other nations in the free world.
Recently, the Marine Corps, which is on hazardous duty in areas of
had met allets personnel meels
ten
combat,
reported
by
enlistments.
Young
men
volunteered
during
in a hurry to fill the quota of 26,500 which the Corps needed, to maintain
its strength in the ranks.
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QERALD FORD LIBRARI
Spring Arbor commencement
Yes, young Americans are not only ready to defend the cause of freedom,
they are stepping forward on their own at a time when the Nation and the
free worldneeds them.
The overwhelming majority of young people today
as
in
the
past
are fine, dedicated, thoughtful, resourceful citizens. It is most obvious
that today's student generation has been right all along while being
merely exposed to public misunderstanding by a very small minority on
some campuses.
At this point, I especially salute and congratu ate the student
body of Spring Arbor College for its patriotic, responsible conduct
while we have seen demonstrations of dissent on some other
campuses throughout the State and Nation.
We cannot label the current college generation with a common
descriptive phrase. There are many faces and moods on the campuses today
and perhaps it is well that they do not fit into a rigid pattern of
regimentation.
Individual freedom of action and choice, within the framework of the
law and the orderly processes, gives each person a choice without being
crowded into the position of accepting one pattern, one way of life, if he
has preferred alternatives. In a word this is--- freedom.
Expanding my you that the
Me all remarks know beyond this so mey well can toll
intelligence of responsible scholars is needed in many areas of our business,
industrial, economic and social life and most certainly in government.
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Spring Arbor commencement
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Without indulging in partisanship, I urge that you become involved in
the political world; that you become a part of an informed, civically
militant electorate.
It seems to me that too many Americans pride themselves as being
political independents. These are the citizens who vote once every four
years, who decline political partisanship with many excuses, who criticise
both political parties.
Our Democrat friends and my own Party, it seems to me, should direct
much of their-major our efforts toward helping each of these well-meaning
Americans chose a political party.
The choise of being either a Republican or a Democrat should be made
only after carefully studying the philosophies of each party. Perhaps,
some will S witch alliances. This is a choice under freedom.
Our Nation needs a strong two-party system. It is Democracy's assurance
against any drift toward authoritarianism. Conversely, a crushing over-balance
of strength in either party for too long will make a mockery of our traditions
in government and will weaken the voice of the people.
Our two-party system, although not written into the Constitution,
buildsinto government an additional set of checks and balances.
Early in our history a wise decision was made to follow the pattern
of a two-party framework. Thus, we avoided the loss of freedom that accompanies
a one-party government; we were spared the chaos and confusion of a
multi-party government.
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Spring Arbor commencement
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Not only do two strong political parties provide the electorate with
the 3 attaining a
legislative alternatives, but also with a remarkably high level of hönesty
and frankness.
A current social philosopher has so well pointed out that the strength
of our form of government lies not so much in the fact that we always
elect the best person to office, but rather that the electorate can always
remove an unworthy official from office by exercising the voting franchise.
Hand-in-hand with the need for two strong political parties in the
American democracy is the necessity for a proper balance in the legislative,
executive and judicial branches of government.
When the balance in Congress is steeply and dangerously tilted by
an overwhelming majority in either political party, our system of checks
and balances is in jeopardy.
The legislative-executive-judicial balance, as established by our
Constitution, is a simple, yet ingenious, system of insuring our freedom.
Certainly, there is criticism of Congress, the legislative branch.
I believe this is a manifestation of our frustrations---the tensions built
up by a prolonged cold war and recent strife in two hemispheres, the existence
of poverty in the midst of plenty, the highly-complex problems linked with
urbanized living, the gap between the Anerican Ideal of equality and its
realization.
Of Congress perhaps the critics would say "let's stop talking and
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
stalling and get things done."
Congress was designed to be a deliberative body with "epresentatives in
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Spring Arbor commencement
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the House and two Senators from e ach State bearing the responsibility of
reaching majority decisions, but only after thorough study and debate.
For those who view Congress as too cumbersome, too old-fashioned,
too slow to act, there are two sound answers.
First, the two houses of Congress have repeatedly proved they can
act with calculated swiftness to meet crisis domestic or foreign bilitary.
Second, the advantages of precipitous action are often outweighed by
the safeguard of deliberation and the resulting slowness.
With a balance of power in the Congress, there is no chance of racing
to the brink of decision with the possibility of tumbling into the yawning
chasm of irresponsibility.
The power of the executive branch00- the White House the President
is given awesome proportions when one political party dominates the Congress
also
and elects the Chief Executive. Great power in a Democracy should require
A
greatelf-restraint. And if power is consistently used improperly, it could
mean the eventual death of the two-party system.
For this reason I have proposed that when both the Executive and
Legislative branches are dominated by the same political party--and it
matters not which the Committees on Government Operations of the House and
Senate should be under the control of the minority party. These committees
have a special responsibility to investigate official action within the
executive branch of the government.
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FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
Spring Arbor commencement
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With broad investigating authority, this arrangement would provide
an effective vehicle to assure that the voice of the minority
would be heard and that the best interests of our citizens and taxpayers
constantly
would be protected. The majority would be on notice that its actions or
inactions were subject to thorough and critical review.
The duty of the third branch of government--- the Federal Judiciary
and apply
is to interpret the Constitution and the laws.
^
When the "udicial Branch arbitraily elbows its way to new positions
of authority, it disregards the wise suggestions of judicial restraint
made by the late Justice Frankfurter and others.
When the Supreme Court ordered states to reapportion on the "one-man,
one-vote" concept, ustice Frankfurter in a dissenting opinion was critical
of an assumption by the Court of "destructively novel judicial power."
"In this situation, as in others of like nature, appeal for relief does
wrote.
not belong here," Justice Frankfurter said. Appeal must be made to an inform ed
11
electorate, he explained addres, "In a democratic society like ours, relief
must come through an aroused public conscience that sears the conscience of
the people's representatives."
In concluding, I emphasize that among the challenges of our time and
especially for those of your generation are the strengthening of the
two-party system and the re-establishment of balance in the three branches
of government.
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DERALD FORD FIBRARY
Spring Arbor commencement
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What are your guidelines in helping to preserve our Democracy?
Where do you start?
First of all, you have the power of knowledge to analyse and
interpret the issues of our age. You have the intellectual ability to
study the philosophies of both major political parties to help you make
a choice. You have the proved willingness to sacrifice- to give more of
yourselves than you receive. You have strengthened your basic Christian
values which give meaning to life and purpose to our endeavor.
You have demonstrated your ability to accept challenges, to work
very hard to meet them, to accept new ideas, to eagerly learn.
As young scholars, as loyal members of a free Republic, as
knowledgable persons embarked on chosen careers, as dedicated servants
of God, you can take the extra step toward helping to make this a better
Nation and a better world for others and yourselves.
You can accept even greater responsibilities in an exciting, demanding
and changing world by becoming active in politics as voters, as
party works,
taxpayers, as partisans, 1 yes, even as candidates for public office.
I congratulate you for your achievements in e ducation, which we
grown m the qualities
salute here today. And, I am confident you will the ingrodients
of good citizenship that our Republic will the survive and prosper, and
which will enable
that acieph it and you will help others in the world of leatership to accept their in role today in the and
Tomorrow's world.
00JJ TO society
BERALD FORD LIBRARY