|
AIR FORCE ROTC UNITS
FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY
DOAK CAMPBELL STADIUM
JANUARY 10, 1963
"CITIZENSHIP AND THE AMERICAN DEMOCRACY"
To come before you here today is, for me, a special pleasure.
As I travel about Florida, and to other states and other lands I
frequently Speak about our growth and of the greatness I believe lies
within Our graSp. Almost always I find myself discussing our state
and its people in terms of the statistical gains we have made, or the
tangible bounties that are curs: The abundance of nature, the rapid
rise in industrial employment, the new schools and colleges, the added
links in our highway system -- these are fine examples of Florida's
progress and typical of the growth of our nation. And yet in a way
they are remote from us as individuals and from our citizenship.
In my office the other day, mention was made of my acceptance of
your invitation to come and discuss with you citizenship in Florida
and in this American Democracy. And somebody said: "Oh, thatll be an
easy one for you, all you'll have to do is go out and wave the flag
a bit and preach about patriotism."
Well, I could, but should I do so -- come before you and mouth
the timeworn cliches about citizenship and patriotism - I would
neither serve well my own convictions nor acknowledge the meaning of
the hours you in the ROTC units have devoted to your personal preparation
to meet and, if necessary, to defend the citizenship that life in a
free state or a free natiOn has thrust upon you.
I glanced at the dictionary as I thought about translating
my thOughts to words, and I noted that a citizen was defined as one
who enjoys the freedom and privileges of the city, town, state, or
-0...
o
nation that he inhabits -- a free man, the dictionary said.
Since my electiOH as your governor I have gained a new insight
into the meaning of citizenship - a new knowledge of what it meana
to be a free man in a Free land.
A part of this knowledge has come on I have traveled in other
lands. Your vision of the meaning of freedom becomes more acute
when you ride, as 1 did, down a wide boulevard in Caracas past the
beautiful campus of a university peopled only by armed soldiers guarding
against a repeat or the Communiat-inspired riots which had closed its
classrooms.
Free Citizenship takes on a new meaning when you staha, as I
did, by the Berlin wall and talk to 01's fr0m Florida and other 3 ates
who have seen a frantic dash For freedom fail in a hail of bullets and
a cry of death.
You cannot return from Guantonamo Bay with other than a
heightenen awareness or the responsibilities of citizenship if you have
ridden, as I did. with Marine guards alOng the high barbs -wire topped
fence that separates our Naval Base from Cuba's Communist Rule.
These are forceful examples that jar the conscience and make
JCP fitful sleep. There are others though, closer to home, that serve as
well to point up the unique status of the American citizen and to
emphasize the need Lo defend his rights and privileges From any attack,
be it external or internal.
What citizen of any other natio: reels free to pick up his
telephone and call his Governor to personally tell him hes doing a
bad job - or a good one.
What citizen of any nation can equal the freedom which is
granted to yOU to Select the courSe of study of your choice and to
specialized and advanced education -- when adults in search of new
knowledge keep the classroom and library lights aglow far into the
night -- and when the findings of the research laboratories can be
translated into smokeless industry employing thousands of skilled
workers - it is then that we know that the American revolution
continues to grow.
We would make a mistake, though, to look on our state and
nation from a purely statistical standpoint. We count our telephones
and televisions, we rate ourselves by the cost of our cars and the cut
of our clothes. Our material progress, which may be duplicated by other
ocieties, has become a yardstick -- a false yardstick - of Americanism.
The horizons of America are not of concrete or of steel. They
are of the mind, the imagination, and the spirit of the individual.
At a large banquet not too long ago the master of ceremonies
leaned across to me and said: "Ive got to lead the pledge of
allegiance to the Flag. How does it go?"
There are many who can't recite the pledge of allegiance or
sing with assurance the words of the Star Spangled Banner -- who never
think of Opening a meeting with a word of prayer. These are not dangers,
but they may he a danger signal for Democracy.
New terms have come into our language in recent times: The
Ugly American - The Angry American. I am fearful that today Our
Democracy is endangered by the Timid American, and, that if something
is not done soon, the Timid American will be replaced by the Frightened
American, and if that ever happens the next American is apt to be the
ConQuered American!
Charles EdiSOn, a former governor of New Jersey, pointed up
the dangers of our times when he expresed a concern that too many of
L'
y],
._'.
.A
-6-
governmental powers to centralize, a tendency repugnant to those of us
dedicated to the belief that the best government is the government that
is nearest and most reaponsive to the people. Thomas Jefferson told us
that our best, and indeed Our only, defense against enoroachments on
Democracy is to strengthen our state and local institutions and to
make them worthy of the reSpOnsibilitieS they Ought to bear.
This strengthening is not going to come as a result of a few
voices crying the cause of state's rights. It can, and will, come only
as the result of aroused and concerned individuals aggressively
pursuing those acts of citizenship unique to our democratic system.
And what are those acts of citizenship?
First to inform yourself of the world around you. Too many
of us are tied to the work we do; to the neighborhood in which we live,
and to the problems of providing food and shelter for our families.
Second, make use of your knowledge. I welcome expressions
of opinion from the people of Florida on the problems of our state,
for when they are the result of thoughtful contemplation they invariably
serve to stimulate my own thinking and provide me with a fresh outlook
on the matters before me. I know others who serve in public office
share this feeling. Sneak out, and you will be heard.
And third, encourage the support of others: of businesses
and of civic groups; for their interest in and involvement with
government can have a profound effect in creating both quality government
and quality citizenship. I am proud that in the past two years we have
brought more citizens and more businesses and more community groups into
a working partnership with state government than at any time in our
history. With each new contact, with the new impetus given our efforts
by added support and fresh thoughts, our horizons broaden and Florida's
future brightens.
_,-
As we enter into this new year America's progress in the
world struggle for freedom seems brighter than at any time in recent
years -- and our need for understanding more demanding than ever before.
We are aware that our freedom is threatened by Communism.
Most Americans know that Khrushchev has said he will bury us and that
the tide of history runs against us.
But too few know hog he plans to bury us. We know that
Communism is evil, but we don't know hog or Egg it is evil.
We know we fight a Cold War. But few are aware of the many
fronts on which that battle is waged -- the economic struggle, the
propaganda skirmishes, and the race to win the support of new and
uncommitted nations.
We think of the people of Russia and the satellite nations
as oppressed, in virtual bondage. We forget that there are many who
are as happy as we, end who are as fearful of the ascendancy of
capitalism, or Americanism, as we are of the rise of Communism.
We know or world-wide Communism, and yet we hear different
goals described by Khruechev, by Mao Tsetung, and by Tito. Are they
all the same? What if the Chinese Communists become dominant in the
Communist world? Hill Communism Change?
I do not believe we can, as good citizens, disavor a
responsibility for knowledge of Cold War facts. if anything, we have a
responsibility not only to be informed ourselves, but to inform others.
t was in that Spirit that I last summer called a Governor's
Conference on Cold War Education, at which a number of nationally known
speakers outlined their views on COmmunism and its threat to demOcracy
and freedom. Attendance far exceeded our expectations, and since its
conclusion I have received a steady flow of letters urging a continuation
of our efforts to present factual information or a sort essential for
to form his own evaluation of the many issues and
3':
each citizen who _l
part of the international maneuvering which has
actions which are a
become the order of the modern day.
theoe urginga, and becauee of my helief that
In response to
very real role in America today as a mental
e of where to go and what to
a
Cold War Education has
civil defense as eatential as
he Cold War ouddently turn hot, we are beginning
It is a orogram
the knowlel
a new and
..
..
do should L
continuing program of Cold War Education for Florida.
that will deal with the basics of the Soviet challenge to our way of
de of freedom, but it will not he
to Demoorat
partlan on the 35
98
life. It will be
in nature, for
COmmunism poses an equal thr
political
and Republican, liberal on conservative.
t claim to
effort will be the well known
be experts on Cold War
Nelther I nor my 3L"
issues.
American Strategy, which carries on its roster acme of
for
in Ancrlca's battle against totalitarian domination
Institute
the best known hum
of the world. In cooperation with the institute, and with the aid of
a number of welluinformed Floridians, we will seek Out and bring to
our benefit the
i
iSCUSS for
,
y
Florida the finest mindn of the natSOn to
issues of the any mud to giVB us guidance as we work toward giving the
issue of 00mmuniam vorSuo freedom a form aid substnoe that will lend
itself to wideupread distribution and understanding.
substantial support -
As our program dovelogs we will Seek
both in dollars and in personal effort - frOm busincus groups and
~'~ organize ions throughout the state. No special
concerned civiu
believe
to carry forth this work, for we
appropriations will he Sought
blaze a
that with the belt and backing of Plorida'u citizens we can
I trail that will strengthen Florida, and stand as a pattern for others
to follow.
:yL a I':3 ran] (it-v 1r!
0 J" .JI-L" Lu '- .- \1111 t inn): I:
,:.',-_-,.I I v ,. \ '. _ -
.._ ._.,:;.- :11: : | -r.. C. '. _' Ham. :umvw'u ul' 1' W:
1- : r- J y A
" g- 1 V I. .- :i 1 can '_ ". ::llm.'w. ;.
I .O , ,. .. ¢ 'r. . H '
I 1. .L-_ ,. A __|IJ\-g L '4. _ -.. MU)" .I -_." LL!" 1'
nu: .:::_.=.;: -K 1 a. u-'.' ._ 3.1 1:? .. = 1.1; 12111.3: u: ~ :3" :I
:k H" v. w t 7 ~ .. -2- -_...
. .-_. ix I v :lLI.7]..".mV. ;1-. ,_' K? J u; LUMP. AU-
I. luvs - . -- H '1. 1 . -- x .- .w
-Lv__ . .K 1 H. J. -2- b, lh' }>- _':"
l" ;- "'. w ,-.- I l v
J 1.L- r. L4 V '. J. 'I H K L V I .iu "11 L .1- 1
m; a v r: uh t 1I1 3 .':_.'w .-I':% 4 t" 71- r I v-r"
:( .x 1 ~ I
Hp. (I [' .A I. t. .I .l (I l\ 1 ,
I. u. s -_ .
MM -, .A mu w 22-3.; _.2; :IM 1 0113; 1" m
. In \ ..' Jv- . '- w I
L- Li .- 1_~:'1I5 1.2141L. ALI .: J
. x y r. v. F ,. , < ~
1 V .. . r. 1-31,}. : .. H'c, .Ju c.- I m.
PAGE 1
-_: ,-0 :
PAGE 3
0 0 0
PAGE 4
1-
PAGE 6
.0 .:. .." 1 .--., --..---..--.. .. ..S .: .: ...-..-; .-, ..-..-
PAGE 7
.0. i .0 --
|
