davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-01
The Political Philosophy Of our New President

which permit US to forego the
listening and the searching We
ought to do. Trouble compounds
when, having made our divi-
sions on one basis. We extend
the application to other issues
and other decisions. Here We
adopt in our American politi-
cal philosophy the pattern not
OF philosophy but Of cults de-
voted to dogma, and we con-
struct false equations which
produce false answers.
This equation process is much
a part OF our party systems.
and contributes to the myth
of the concept that there are
two sides to every question"
True. there are two parties.
That is not the same as two
sides. But, by maintaining the
two-side concept, we satisfy
our conSciences - again as a
matter of convenience - that
when a partisan majority has
prevailed there is no need to
examine either the majority's
side or the minority's side again.
Our reasoning is that since
there are two sides, either side
would have been acceptable.
and hence the answer decided
by political strength does not
require closer scrutiny.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-01
Source of Students Noted

Although Amherst has been in
the forefront Of extending aid to
needy and talented students, pri-
vate colleges, taken as q whole,
draw so per cent Of their students
from the wealthiest 10 per cent
Of our Nation, and even State
universities and other public in
situations derive IS per cent of
their students from this group.
In March, 1862, persons OF Is
years or older who had not COM
pleted high school made up 46
per cent Of the total labor force
and such persons comprised 81
per cent Of those who were I'M
employed. And in 1858, the low
est fifth Of families in the United
States had Az per cent of the
total personal income. the high
est fifth ASA per cent.
There is inherited wealth in
this country and also inherited
poverty.
And unless the graduates Of
this college and other colleges like
it who are given a running start
in life-unless they are willing to
put back into our society those
talents, the broad sympathy. the
understanding, the compassion
unless they are willing to put
those qualities back into the scrv-
ice of the great republic, then
obviously the presuppositions upon
which our democracy are based
are hound to be fallible.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-01

10 million jobs in the next two
and half years. to govern our
relations-a country which lived
in isolation for $50 years and is
now suddenly the leader of the
free world-to govern our rela-
tionS with over 100 countries, to
govern those relations with sue
cess so that the balance of power
remains strong on the side of
freedom, to make it possible for
Americans Of all different races
and creeds to live together in har-
mony, to make it possible for a
world to exist in diversity and
freedom. All this requires the best
of all of us.
And therefore. I am proud to
come to this college whose grad
yates have recognized this obliga-
ton and to say to those who are
now here that the need is endless
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-01
Freedom to Grow

I think otherwise. This popu-
lar view is, l feel, very much
counter to our American philos-
ophy based on the thinking of
men like Jefferson and Madi-
son. 1 do not believe we have
arrived at an answer until we
have found the national answer.
the answer all reasonable men
can agree upon, and our work
is not done until that answer
is found-even If the process
requires years Of our lives.
Here fits the third tenet of
my philosophy-and the fourth.
Had America been bound by the
Constitutional Convention to
the PHILOSOPHERS Of the 18th
century-and by the limits
Of the wisdom and vision
of those times-we would not
have the Nation that is ours
today. Our rising greatness
through more than 100 years has
came from our freedom to APP
ply our accommodating knowledge
to the processes Of our self
government. Or, to state it
another way, this has come be-
cause Americas course has been
left to the living. Thus, the
18th century philosophy Of our
Constitution has allowed for
growth so that 1t is still strong,
still good for our goth century.
Our Nation, like all nations. is
possessed of certain resources
resources Of nature. resources
of position, and resources of the
human mind. Without conquest
or ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, we can
not add to these basicS. Thus
whatever we are to be we must
build from those things at our
disposal, and to content our
selves with less than the ulti-
mate potential Is to deny our
heritage and our duty.
Obviously. having come from
a land like Texas, I feel this
strongly. OF all endeavors on
which 1 have worked in public
life. I am proudest Of the &C
complishments in developing the
Lower Colorado River during the
l930s and 1940s. 1t is not the
damming Of the stream or the
Harvesting of the floods In which
take pride. but. rather. in the
ending Of the waste Of the region.
The region-so unproductive
and insignificant in capacity in
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-01
A Form Of Truth

We must never forget that art is
not a form of propaganda, it is
form of truth. And as Mr.. Mac
Leish once remarked of poets,
There is nothing worse for our
trade than to be in style"
In free society art is not a wea-
pom and it does not belong to the
sphere of polemics and theology.
Artists are not engineers of the
soul.
1t may be different elsewhere.
But democratic society-in 1.-THE
highest duty of the writer. the
composer, the artist is to remain
true to himself and to let the
chips fall where they may.
In serving his vision Of the
truth the artist best serves his ma
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-01
This Article

This article, entitled MY PO-
litical Philosophy" was written
by Lyndon B. johnson. then .
Senator, in 1858 for the Texas
Quarterly of the University Of
Texas. 1t is reprinted here by
permission of the University and
through the cooperation Of the
Houston Chronicle.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-01

this, Of course, was not done
merely to give this schools grad
yates an advantage-an economic
advantage in the life struggle.
It does do that. But in return
for that-in return for the great
opportunity which society gives
the graduates Of this and related
schools. it seems to me incumbent
upon this and other schools grad
yates to recognize their response
bility to the public interest.
Privilege is here and with priv
ilege goes responsibility. AND I
think as your President said, that
it must be a source of satisfaction
to you that this schools graduates
have recognized it. And I hope
that the students who are here
now will also recognize it in the
future.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-01

ton. And the nation which dis
dams the mission Of art invites
the fate of Robert Frost's hired
man-"the fate Of having nothing
to look backward to with pride
and nothing to look forward to
with hope"
look forward to a great future
for America future In which
our country will match its mill
tary strength with our moral re-
straint, its wealth with our wis
dom, its power with our purpose.
Urges Reword Of Art
I look forward to an America
which will not be afraid Of grace
and beauty. which will protect the
beauty Of our natural environ
ment. which will preserve the
great old American houses and
squares and parks Of our national
past and which will build hand
some and balanced cities for our
future.
look forward to an America
which will reward achievement in
the arts as we reward achieve
ment in business or statecraft.
I look forward to an America
which will steadily raise the stand
ards of artistic accomplishment
and which will steadily enlarge
cultural opportunities for all Of
our citizens.
And I look forward to an Amer
lea which com mandS respect
throughout the world not only for
its strength but for its civilization
as we'll.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-01
Notes Participants

Amherst has had many soldiers
of the King since its first one and
some of them are here today-Mr.
McCloy. who long has been a pub
lie servant; Games Al Jim Reed.
who is the Assistant Secretary OF
the Treasury: President (Charles
W. Cole, who is now Ambassa-
dor to Chile; Mr.. (James ID
Ramsey, who is a commissioner
of the Atomic Energy Commission;
Orchard W. Dick Reuter-, who is
head of the Food for Peace-these
and scores of others down through
the years have recognized the OBJ
legations of the advantages which
the graduation from college such
as this places upon them to serve
not only their private interests
but the public interest as well.
Many years ago Woodrow Will
son said, What good is a polit-
ical party unless it's serving a
great national purpoSe?" And
what good is a private college or
university unless it's serving a
great national purpose?
The library being constructed
today-this college itself-all of
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-01
and I'm confident that you will
respond.

The Two Roods
Robert Frost said 1t:
Two roads diverged in a wood and
IL took the one less Travelled
by,
And that has made all the differ
ence.
I hope that road will not be the
less Travelled by and I hope your
commitment to the great public
interest in the years to come will
be worthy of your long inheri-
lance since your beginning.
This day, devoted to the memo
ry Of Robert Frost, offers an OPP
portunity for reflection which is
priced by politicians as well as by
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-01
Many Voices

Many Voices
The very purpose of Con-
gress, in our governmental form,
is to arrive at national deci-
sions by bringing together some
53l individuals, representing
ITO million individuals, to
achieve a consent on the way
the nation should go. Were we
bound by rigid dogmas, what
ever their name, there would
be no more cause for assem-
bling Congress than for bring
ing the Soviet Presidium to-
gether. We are not so bound,
and it is part-a great part
Of my own philosophy that the
Congress reaches a very dubious
decision when its choices are
made solely by head counts of
the partisan division.
This leads to a listing Of the
tenetS Of my own beliefs, the
specific tenets Of my own phi
losophy. I would set them down
this way:
First, believe every Ameri-
can has something to say and.
under our system. a right to an
audience.
Second. I believe there is al
ways a national answer to each
national problem. and, believing
this, do not believe that there
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-01
Staggering Problems

The problems which this coun-
try now faces are staggering both
at home and abroad. We need the
service In the great sense Of every
educated man or woman to find
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-01
A SoIitoy Figure

The great artist is thus a soli-
tary figure. He has, as Frost said,
"a lovers quarrel with the world"
In pursuing his perceptions of
reality he must often sail against
the currents Of his time. This is
not a popular role.
If Robert Frost was much hon.
ored during his lifetime, it was
because a good many preferred to
ignore his darker truths.
Yet in retrospect we see how
the artists fidelity has strength
ened the fiber of our national life.
If sometimes our great artists
have been the most critical of our
society it is because their sensitiv-
ity and their concern for justice,
which must motivate any true
artist, makes him aware that our
nation falls short of It's highest
potential.
see little of more Importance
to the future Of our country and
our civilization than full recogni-
ton Of the place Of the artist. If
art is to nourish the roots Of our
culture. society must set the artist
free to follow his vision wherever
it takes him.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-01
Silent Constitution

Inquiries Of mems philoso-
phies do not fit this context.
It Is o part Of my own philos-
ophy to regard individuality Of
political philosophy as q corner
stone Of American freedom and.
more specifically, as Q right ex-
pressly implied in our Nations
. basic law and indispensable to
the proper functioning Of our
system.
Our basic law-the Consti-
tution-is distinctive among the
basic laws Of all nations, even
the free nations Of the West. In
that 1t prescribes no national
dogma: economic. social, or
religious.
Free enterprise, for example,
Is not mentioned. Nor are our
parties or the party system. Nor
is there any provision to re-
quire allegiance to any dogma
or doctrine.
Yet government Is an ex-
preston Of philosophy. and &C
tive governments are inevitably
guided by philosophers. AS I
see 1t, the mandate of our sys-
tem-and, perhaps, the ulti-
mate genius Of its that the
American people should be the
true philosophers Of the Ameri-
can Government within the
limits upon governmental pow
ers set by our Constitution.
This IL an ennobling con-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-01
By LYNDON B. JOHNSON

I am q free man. an Ameri-
can, q United States Senator.
and q Democrat. in that order.
I am also q liberal, q conserv-
alive, q Texan, q taxpayer. q
rancher, a businessman, q con-
sumner, q parent, q voter, and
not as young as / used to be nor
as old as I expect to be-and I
am all these things in no fixed
order.
I am unaware OF any descrip-
tive word in the second para
graph which qualities. modifies.
amends. or is related by hyphe-
nation to the terms listed in the
first paragraph. In consequence,
] am not able-nor even the
least interested in trying-to de-
fine my political philosophy by
the choice of q one-word or two
word label. This may be against
the tide, but. if so, the choice is
deliberate.
At the heart Of my own be-
liefs is q rebellion against this
very process of classifying, la
beling. and filing Americans I'M
der headings: regional, eco
nomic, occupational, religious.
racial, or otherwise. I bride at
the very casualness with which
we have come to ask each other.
What is your political phi
losophy?"
I resent the question most
often not because I suspect 1t Of
guile and cunning. but for its
innocence, the innocence that
confuses dogma with philosophy
and presumes that the answer
can be given in q word or two.
Our political PHILOSOPHERS, I
have found, are the sum Of our
life's experience. God made no
man so simple or his life so
sterile that such experience can
be summarized in an adjective.
Yet we seem bent today on re-
ducing every mans philosophy
to a mere vital statistic. to the
next question asked-of profess
sors, students, public officials.
job applicants. business execu-
,tives. labor leaders. and many
more-after age, weight, height,
and color of eyes and hair.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-01

my youths now q vital part
of the national economy and po-
tential. More important, the
wastage Of human resources in
the whole region has been re-
duced. New horizons have been
opened for the fulfillment Of
young minds. if by nothing more
than the advent of electricity
into rural homes. Men and wom-
en- have been released from the
waste Of drudgery and toll
against the unyielding rock Of
the Texas hills. This is fulfill
ment Of the true responsibility
of government.
Conversely, the elimination Of
waste Of this sort carries with 1t
a continuing obligation for Gov
ernment-at all levels-not too
create waste itself by extracting
from the people the fruits Of
their new opportunities through
improvident excuses in spend
ing and taxing. This is an in
creaSingly critical area for
American government. but one
to which we sometimes apply
false standards.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-01
WostefuI Inertio

Government can waste the
peoples resources by inertia
quite as much as by vigor. Gov
eminent can, for example, fall
into a state Of complacency over
the relative positions Of strength
between nations in the world.
An international stalemate with
communism would. believe. be
the greatest Of waste Of Ameri-
can resources and the resources
Of freedom, even though stale
mate produced no war. A vital
government cannot accept stale
mate In any area-foreign or
domestic. 1t must seek the ma
tional interest solution, vigor-
ously and courageously and
confidently.
These tenets are the tenets Of
my political philosophy.
Some who equate personal
PHILOSOPHERS with popular dog
mas might inquire, endlessly. as
to my position" on this issue or
that issue or some other. PHI
losophies, as I conceive them at
least, are not made Of answers
TO issues. but Of approaches
more enduring and encompass
ing than that. By these APP
proaches I have set down, I can
seek and, I believe, find answers
to the issues Of 1858 or 1878, IN
they arise.
By personal choice, an Q
Democrat, for I can in that
party best apply and express
my beliefs.
As for being anything else,
the definitions Of what I am
will have to be applied by
others as they see fit for I
make no such distinctions my
self.
I am. as I said in the begin
ming, a free man, an American,
a United States Senator, and
a Democrat, in that order, and
there, for me. the classifying
stops.
Copyright, 1888. The Texas Quarterly
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-01

ness and diversity Of his existence.
When power corrupts, poetry
cleanseS.
For art establishes the basic hu-
man truths which must serve as
the touchstoneS Of our judgment.
The artist. however faithful to his
personal vision Of reality, becomes
the last champion Of the indivi-
dual mind and sensibility against
an intrusive society and an Off
cious state.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-01

legged to serve in Congress,
might never have come to hold
the respect for individuality of
philosophy that I do.
The Farmville herald. (Farmville, Va.) 1957-current, 1963-05-24

"a co" struction job in Arlington
was guest Of his cousin. M. C.
Arlington, and family the past
week end. They had not seen
each other for about ten years.
Mrs Helen Carter and daugh-
ter, Sandra. and Teresa Wright
went to Richmond Sunday aft
ernool to visit Mr. and Mrs.
NJ e Il Smith. Mrs. Carter S
mother. Mrs. Gordon Guthrie. of
Falmouth was also a que
there. and 1t. Col. and Mrs.
George Burns ard their three
children, OF Quaatico.
New Homes
Two new homes are under
construction here. Allen Brauer
is beginnin one at Pownatan
close to his father S new home
near the Ep scopal rectory. and
Nelson Patterson has new
home going W rapidly n e /
Dorset Corner, The W. c. Low
cry family Will soon leave their
trailer home 10 enjoy the home
going up for them the past few
weeks.
A. [. Bethel. Jr.. and Z. G.
Bethel Of Richmond visited their
pare IS, Mr. and MIS-. A. L.
Bethel Sunday afternoon. -Four
Of their six children were home
fer Mothers Day. These We're
Mr.. and Mrs w. E. Bethel and
their four children. Mr.. and Mrs.
P. c. Bethel and A. L., Jr..
all Of Richmond, and Mrs. Ruth
Mann and daughter. Susan. Of
Beaumont.
Mrs Mary Frazier. of Cum
berland. was a guest of Mrs.
Nora Worshan, one DAY last
week
The Farmville herald. (Farmville, Va.) 1957-current, 1963-05-24
Ashly

May % Mrs. E. c. Walton,
with co-hostess, Mrs E. C. Wal
ton. Jr.. entertained % ladies for
the monthly meeting of the Ash
by Home Demonstration CLUB at
her home. "Penrith. Wednes-
day afternoon.
Mrs. Fred Wine gave a dem
onstration on drying flowers and
arranging them. a report was
given of a trip recently taken
by the club to Mount Vernon
Washington's home.
The writer regrets that in Est
ing the guests in the e. c. Wal
ton home on Mothers Day the
following were omitted: Dickie
Adams. of Richmond, Dr.. and
Mrs. Rem and Mr.. and Mrs.
E. c. Walton, il.
Miss Rehecca Part. of Rich
mcnd and Miss Betty Oakeltree.
Of Stanton. were week en- d
visitors Of Mr.. and Mrs. Denris
Hart. They were dinner guests
in the Zimmerman home Satur-
day evening with a group of IS
who were holding retreat there
for the week end.
A cali from Kenneth Hart CT
the Coast Guard stationed in
Seattle, Wash tells of a recent
visit to a ereat-aunt Of SO years,
living in Tacoma. Wash.
Mr. and Mrs. f. w. Sander
son entertained the employees of
Southern States Cumberland
Store with their wives. the To-
cal board members and their
wives, the home advisory board
with their husbands. and five Of
the district men with their
wives, for an out-ol- doors chick
en- barbecue Saturday night.
The Cumberland Young Farm
The Farmville herald. (Farmville, Va.) 1957-current, 1963-05-24
Oak Forest

Nav q Nh, and Mrs. L. F.
Puckett We're business visitors in
Redmond Friday.
Visiting in Prospect Saturday
night with Mr.. and Mrs. w. G.
Whittier were Mr.. ard Mrs. L. E.
Pickett.
The L. E. Pcuketts visited in
Richmond Sunday with her
niece, Mrs, Dorothy Elan, and
later visited her sister. Mrs.
john Guthrie. = patient at Medi-
cal College Of Virginia Hospital.
David and Ricky Cole. of Pow
hatan. spent the week end with
their grandmother, Mrs Lewis
Dawson. and Mr.. Dawson.
" Y. and W F. Henley. Of
Richmond. with L. E. Pickett
The Farmville herald. (Farmville, Va.) 1957-current, 1963-05-24
Throck

May % Mr.. end Mrs. A.
M. Throckmorton and his broth
er. Elijah Throckmorton. of
Sprouse's Corner, spent the
week end in Augusta, Ga. Win
their son and daughter-in-law
Mr.. and Mrs. Arnold Throck-
morton. and rem. Sgt.
Throckmorton leaves Tuesday
for a threeyear tour Cd duty in
France.
Mrs. Elijah Throckmorton and
daughter, Nancy, sent the week
end with Mr. and Mrs. Bert
SWalley.
Mr.. and Mrs. Billy Slavton
and children were overnight
guests Saturday of relatives in
Roanoke. Mrs. Holiday Scott,
who spent last week with her
parents, Mr.. and Mrs. Henry
Slayton, returned home with
them.
Mr. and Mrs. John Graft and
children, of Tappahannock, were
week end guests Of her parents,
Mr.. and Mrs. j. D. Atchley.
Kermit Slayton, Of Roanoke,
visited his parents, Mr.. and
Mrs. Henry Slayton. during the
week end. Mrs. Slayton spent
the week end at Keysville with
her parents, Mr.. and Mrs. Wal
Ter.
The Farmville herald. (Farmville, Va.) 1957-current, 1963-05-24
Old Abilene

May % Sympathy is ex-
tended to the brothers and SIS
tors Of Mrs. Mary Clark. Of
Roanoke. formerly of Abilene
who died on Saturday in Roa-
noke.
Nh and Mrs. Ernest Brooks
spent last Wednesday with Nj.
and Mrs william Peelman. of
near Altavista.
Miss Betty Chappell. of Long
wood College. spent the week
end with her parents, Mr.. and
Mrs j. W Chappcn.
Mrs Ch a RI e 5 Pickett. of
Farmvllle. visited her parents.
MI and Mrs. 0. L. Vassar. Sun
day.
Nh and Mrs. william Driskill
and family Of Richmond spent
Sunday with his mother. Mrs.
Helen Driskill. and MI. ana
Mrs Thomas Drlskill.
Mrs. Washington Chappel and
MI and Mrs. William Bell spent
Sunday III Richmond. with their
mother. Mrs Robert Webb. and
stepfather, Mir. Webb.
Sisters and brothers Of Robert
Ernest Bell, who died last Mon
day wish to thank their many
friends for flowers. cards and
calls during their recent be-
rcayenent
MIS-. Alton Nelson and chill
drcn visited MIS-. Julian Price
and family, of MeherIn. Sun
day.
In keysville
Nh and Mrs. Ernest Brooks
spent Sunday with Mr.. and MIS-.
Maury Warren. of Keysville.
They We're entertaining his sis
ter, Mrs Annie Clark. and MI.
and Mrs Arthur Clark, all Of
Virginia Beach.
Little Beth Guthrie. of Brook
neal, spent last week with her
cousin, Faith Clark
Mr.. and Mrs. Rand Guthrie
and children were Sunday guests
of Nh and Mrs. Garland Clark.
Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Clark
visited IN the same home and
were supper guests
Nh and Mrs. Willie DIckloff
and children of Hampton sgd
ncy. Mr. and Mrs Marvin Clark
and Wayne Gryder visited Ma.
and Mrs. Meredith Chappeu on
Sunday
Mr.. and Mrs. Norman Grydel'
and son. Donnie. Of Blackstone.
spent the week end with his
parents. Mr. and Mrs. Wayne
Grydcr
Mrs. Lizzie sIayton spent last
Tuesday with Meredith Chappell
while Mrs Chappen attended
the funeral of her brother IN
Richmond.
The Farmville herald. (Farmville, Va.) 1957-current, 1963-05-24

ers Club held a covered disf
per at the home of Mr.. and Mrs
E. W Sanderson Monday night
Mrs. r. A. Smith and Miss
Carol Smith spent Saturday
n.oht in Richmond.
The citizens of Cumberland
were sorry to Learn Of the sud
den death on May 10 of Maury
Hubbard, the able executive sec.
retary Of the State Farm Blu
reau.