Hays, Brooks

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Speech reflecting on recent Congressional election defeat -5- “out of office, as well as in office, Hays will be doing a lot of good ” and I hope I can live up this prophecy. To cite just one more encouraging editorial the Charlotte Observer of November 11: “somewhere, at some time, the example of Brooks Hays may encourage someone to stand up to the facts, hold to his convictions, and tell the people the truth on a painful subject.” That this will not take place overnight is made clear by the Observer: “That is not likely in the immediate future. The election returns in Arkansas probably will guarantee for the South more of the same political fantasy - with the volume turned a bit higher.” The struggle cannot be viewed in short-run terms but rather as a long-run effort to reconcile the national attitude and the Southern extremist viewpoint. That southern newspapers view this as a possibility gives me renewed confidence that the course I am charting is not in error. What, then, is this moderation I have been talking about? First, let me say that, while I am stuck with the label and will not renounce it, I am starting no new cult under that name. Moderation is not invariably a virtue. Truth is often highly partisan. But I think we can find a definition of the term which is reasonably precise and to which the just and prudent may repair. This definition would include: (a) an adherence to...

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Brooks Hays Materials

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University of Arkansas