Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1960-03-18
Humphrey Speech
Confined
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NOOuhAuuCu AEOAu E1ko
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 Tonnes
see wish me to yield to him?
Mr.. GORE. wished to ask the
Senator the question whether a
citizen is entitled to protection of
that constitutional right. Before
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.
1t is entirely probable that some
people do not agree with all those
amendments, and I 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 IL
the Union, inSeparable, based or
law, and the Constitution is the su,
preme law Of the land and as such
must be faithfully adhered to.
Il do not want my argument t.
be interpreted as a statement thai
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. l have
the highest regard for my col
leagues in the Senate. recognize
that when one looks at a stack Of
bills and amendments such as are
before US now on our desks, Il Il
obvious that there will be differ.
ences Of opinion on the merits Of
such measures. However when
read statements to the effect that
there will be no civil rights action
that there will be no progress
made, then I say that that does
not hurt those who have been hurt
for so long. because their hurt Is
already deep and abiding. The hurt
is upon US. We have demeaned
ourselves because we, above all, as
the guardians Of the Republic. in a
sense, during our tenure Of office,
have an extra responsibility to see
that the Constitution is adhered
to. We are supposedly fully con-
versant with its every article, its
every section, and its every re-
quirement; and that includes the
18th 14th, and 18th amendments
as well.
Mr.. President. this Congress
must not only see to it that legis-
lation Is enacted to implement the
Supreme Courts decisions Of 1854
in the school desegregation mat
tiers, but, as I said, we must also
enact legislation to insure to all
American citizens regardless of
race, color, or creed or their sta
ton in life the right to vote.
Il can think Of nothing that is
more damaging to the prestige Of
the United States Of America in
the eyes Of the world than the
denial in this, the greatest Of all
democracies, Of the right to vote
Of any person Of legal age and who
meets the basic requirements of
citizenship.
ION September IL, 1859, it was
my privilege to introduce s. 1884,
which was designed to carry out
the recommendation Of the Com
mission on Civil Rights for Presi-
dentially appointed Federal voting
registrars in districts where quail
fled American citizens are being