St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1960-03-18
Humphrey Speech
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are without the franchise. There
are millions of people who have
been denied their right of repre-
sentation. There are millions of
people who are denied their con-
stitutional privileges and protec-
tons.
The Senate may indulge itself
in what is called a filibuster, or
indulge in what is termed pro-
longed or protraCted debate. The
fact remains that every individual
of this Nation is entitled to the
right to vote when he reaches his
maturity. I say he is entitled to
that right. and he is assured of
that right, both by the Constitu-
ton and the Declaration of indie
pendence He is entitled to that
right, above all. because he is a
man. We can argue about the tech
niCalities from now until dooms-
day but that still remains the
fact. We must keep faith with the
right of every man to the proteC-
ton Of his constitutional right to
vote We must do all we can to
protect the basic rights of the cit
izenship in the United States. We
must emancipate ourselves in this
continuing battle Even here in the
District of Columbia, in the Ma
tons Capital, the people do not
enjoy that right to vote.
Does the Senator from Tennes-
see wish me to yield to him?
Mr.. GORE. I wished to ask the
Senator the question whether a
citizen is entitled to protection of
that constitutional right. Before l
could ask him he said that that
was so.
Mr. Humphrey I thank the
Senator for the emphasis Although
we are discussing so-called civil
rights. what we are really talking
about are constitutional rights,
which are provided for in the Con-
stitution and in the amendments
to the Constitution
II is entirely probable that some
people do not agree with all those
amendments, and l recognize that
some of those amendments were
adopted after there had been ter
rible conflict in this Nation Never
theless this is one Nation, this is
the Union, inseparable, based on
law. and the Constitution is the su,
preme law Of the land and as such
must be faithfully adhered to.
II do not want my argument to
be interpreted as a statement that
there are not differences of opinion
on how we ought to go about i'm.
plementing the constitutional guar.
antees. I hope shall never be.
come an intolerant man. I have
the highest regard for my col.
leagues in the Senate I recognize
that when one looks at a stack OF
bills and amendments such as are
before us now on our desks. it is
obvious that there will be differ,
enCes of opinion on the merits OF
such measures. However when
read statements to the effect thai
there will be no civil rights action
that there will be no progress.
made. then l say that that doe.
not hurt those who have been hur'
for so long, because their hurt /.
already deep and abiding The hur'
is upon us. We have demeaneC
ourselves because we. above all a.
the guardians of the Republic, in {
sense, during our tenure of office
have an extra responsibility to Sc,
that the Constitution is adhered
to. We are supposedly fully con
versant with it's every article, it!
every section. and its every re
quirement; and that includes tn,
18th 14th, and 18th amendment!
as well.
Mr. President. this Congress
must not only see to it that legis
lation is enacted to implement tn
Supreme Courts decisions of 1876
in the school desegregation mat
tiers, but, as I said, we must ais
enact legislation to insure to a
American citizens regardless o
race, color, or creed or their sta
ton in life the right to vote.
II can think Of nothing that 1
more damaging to the prestige G
the United States of America 1
the eyes Of the world than tn
denial in this, the greatest Of a
democracies, of the right to vot
Of any person Of legal age and VIII
meets the basic requirements {
citizenship.
= "On September II, 1859, it wa
| my privilege to introduce S 268,
| which was designed to carry oil
the recommendation Of the Con
mission on Civil Rights for Pres
dentially appointed Federal votin
registrars in districts where quail