Minneapolis spokesman., 1963-10-10
Mr.. Nixon Places Blame
On Wrong Shoulders

On wrong shoulders
Richard Nixon, unsuccessful 1860 Republican
candidate for the Presidency who Is usually quite
tcent about discussing the civil rights issue is re-
ported this week making critical comment about
President Kennedy's civil rights posture and record
MT. Nixon is reported in the press as blaming
the present civil rights crisis campaign promises
made by Mr.. Kennedy which he did not keep. Nixon
claims the Kennedy promises resulted in the wave
Of racial demonstrations and disorders which are stin
prevalent in all parts of the nation.
We think Mr.. Nixon Is wrong. The civil rights
crisis would have developed in 1868 without any
campaign promises by John F. Kennedy. In our
opinion even If Mr.. Nixon had been elected 10 the
White House in 1860 without making a single cam
paign promise the civil rights ISSUE the situation
would have been the same as it is today and prob
ably
President Kennedy involved himself in the civil
rights issue directly from the day Of his Inaugural
when he observed as he stood in the incement
weather that not a single Negro cadet was among
those passing the reviewing stand from the US
Coast Guard Academy, and wanted to know the
reason why.
From his first day in the White House he began
to practice in both his public and private relations
civil rights program which set an example both for
public officials and for leaders in all of Amer
lean life.
In government he set off the biggest attempt to
bring the end 10 discrimination against Negroes in
federal service that the nation has ever seen, and
one which has revofItionzed the entire employment
policy of the biggest employer in the UtSA. the
federal government
Kennedy personally set the stage for civil rights
advance However he put off pressing for civil rights
legislation at the federal level because he knew he
would risk passage Of other key legislation which
he felt should have opportunity for passage before
the Congress was asked to enact rights legislation.
The Negro press, Iberal whites and the leaders
on the bi-racaal civil rights organizations were
naturally critical Of the administration for its failure
30 press Immediately for federal rights measures
and kept the heat on Kennedy despite the example
he set in the where the executive branch had
control
The growth Of the Negro Revolution" forced
the hand of Kennedy as 1t would have forced action
by whoever was in the White House and the admin
tration had 10 take leadership In the interest of
national peace and tranquility in a program to en-
act laws which would halt the widespread denial Of
the American Negroes basic rights.
Thus, John Kennedy who did not want to
gage in fight to the finish" with the southern
segregationists who have vested interest In keep
ing the Negro in state of seislavery, for fear of
endangerng other legislation which he considered
essential to the entire natons welfare, forced
He cowageoIsly took leadership in the fight
for human dignity and justice in country which
boasts gave birth to both Of these virtues.
Mr.. Kennedy like any other President, under
similar conditions and like MI Nixon who now
crftcdses him, will have TO face the revolution Of a
people tired 10 death Of receiving less than their
just due from nation which Is indebted heavily to
them. 80 '.'t
1t ought to be pointed out again and again that
when the chips were down Mr.. Kennedy has not
once took the cowardly way out He has reacted
any President of all the people should and nothing
Mr. Nixon or anyone can say or do can take that
away from him.
This race issue would have been settled years
ago If we had had President in the White House
In the past five decades before JFK who could see
the seriousness of problem crying for atten-
tton and sensible solution.
That Mr.. Kennedy has Joined in the civil rights
crusade instead OF hanging back IS to his credit His
position required courage and faith for his political
foes are not hestating to maHgn him for trying to
clean up mess which neither Of the political parties
have applied themselves to in the past 100 years IF
Mr. Nixon wants to do the nation which has honored
him with the VicePresidency real public service he
will support the efforts Of Mr. Kennedy to get Con-
gress to pass meaningfh rights legislation.