Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-07-15
TEXT. or STATEMENT
Rockefeller Hits Riqhtists

Republican Party today is the
gravest In It's history.
I have no doubt whatever
that responsibility. moderation
and sound progress continue to-
be the spiritual allegiance Of
the overwhelming majority Of
the Republicans Of this coun-
try.
But q complacent majority,
or q fearful one, or q major
ity misled to betrayal Of its
principles In pursuit Of politi-
cal fantasies viii be as surely
subverted by militant extrem-
ism as such majorities always
have been throughout all his
tory.
No Republicans can stand
by idly In the face Of this
threat. No Republican can
stand aloof from the issue that
it presents. One must be either
for or against these forces. The
time for temporizing is over.
Some In the party have all
ready spoken out against this
threat. This is a responsibility
for all Of US. / for one will
do everything in my power,
working with others to counter
the influence Of these forces
and to defeat their purposes.
For the future Of this great
Nation lies not in the unprin-
cipled extremism of the radical
right any more than It lies
In the unprincipled opportun-
ism that has captured the DEM
ocratic Party.
It lies in the fiscally-respon-
sible, humanely principled
mainstream Of American
thought and leadership that
the party Of Abraham Lincoln,
Of Theodore Roosevelt, Of Rob-
ert Taft has always represented
and viii continue to represent.
It is said that In the next
presidential election, the vot-
ers should be given q choice.
I agree.
There must be an alterna-
tive to q faltering administra-
ton that has suffered q Conn
munist military base. to be es-
tablished 30 miles off our
shores-the most visible SYM
boil, but by no means the only
one Of q general deterioration
in our national security and
our posture of leadership be-,
fore the world.
There must be an alterna-
tive to an administration that
is Laundering in its fiscal
management, that has been
| unable to settle on a program,
let alone effect q solution, for
our stagnant economy and our
millions of unemployed.
There must be an alterna-
tive for an administration that
by inaction has plunged our
country into the most SOUL
soaring racial strife Of our his
DRY.
There must be an alterna-
tive. But, In the sound In
stincts of the American people.
that alternative viii never be
found in g party Of extremism,
a party of sectionalisrn, q party
of racism, q party that dis
claims responsibility for most
of the population before 1t even
starts its campaign for their
support. Y
Such an alternative is not q
choice but q mockery.
Choice III RepubIicanlsm
The choice that must be pro-
vlded to the American people
is to be found only In q party
Of responsible republicanism,
truly faithful to its Lincolnian
heritage, truly national in
scope. concerned with the OPP
portunity and well-being of ev-
cry individual citizen and thus
commanding the confidence of
the country as q whole.
Last but not least. 1t must be
responsibly and constructively
concerned with the strength
ening Of this country's leader
ship of the free world.
The choice as to whether
such a party shall be presented
to the electorate is o choice for
all Republicans.
In the days between now and
the Republican convention,
where the final decision will
be made, that choice and these
issues must be submitted to
them. I have no doubt as to
the outcome. And I have no
doubt that out of this process
will come the kind Of moral
strength. the strength Of prin-
ciple. that is needed to win
and that is needed to govern.
The Republican Party stands
today at the crossroads Of its
destiny. It's destiny Is to save
the Nation by first saving It.