Hays, Brooks

Description

Speech reflecting on recent Congressional election defeat -10- sacrifices it to your opinion. “This theory recognizes the role of moral leadership. We did not create the Congress so that we could just react to a postcard poll of what sentiment in every district was. The Founding Fathers had in mind the exercise of this leadership where issues arise that are delicate and where people are divided. Judgments must be made by the representative based on what he, the representative, thinks is for the best interest of his people. While a balance obviously must be struck between reflection of the wishes of the people and answering the dictates of the conscience, on this occasion I could not ride a popular idea, but rather tried to popularize an idea that had become so much a part of me I could not rid myself of it if I had tried. This devotion to principle is very much a part of the Southern tradition and I do not intend to make it appear unique. Many Southern politicians have this quality and will be able to survive politically if they are given the chance to express themselves under conditions of fair debate and without fear of the last minute “blitzkriegs.” It is for this reason that all Southern officeholders have a stake in the outcome of the investigation regarding irregularities in my election. Evidence that the people of Little Rock are regaining their awareness of these facts can be found in the recent election to...

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Brooks Hays Materials

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University of Arkansas