Letters: Jul. 24, 1964

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Sir: I wholeheartedly agree with General Eisenhower's statement that extremism at either end of the political spectrum is wrong. But it appears that most key Republican politicians, who are bending over backwards for the Negro vote, can think of denouncing by name only such organizations as the Christian Knights of the Ku Klux Klan and the John Birch Society. They seem to forget that CORE and the Black Muslims also stir up much contempt and hatred.

RICHARD DAVIS

Philadelphia

Sir: It took an illustrious member of the G.O.P., namely General Dwight D. Eisenhower, to finally call attention to all the so-called commentators who foist their miserable opinions on the listening public. Their methods of putting words into other people's mouths certainly show up disgracefully on television.

PEARL NEELY

Philadelphia

Sir: You quote Governor Scranton: "If a man [Goldwater] marching in a parade discovers that his cadence is different from every other marcher, who is he to say that the rest are out of step?" [July 10]. It was Thoreau who said, "If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away." If the Republican Party is to remain a viable part of the American political party system, I suggest it nurture more Goldwaters and fewer Scrantons and Rockefellers.

RODNEY REDDING

Waterville, Me.

Sir: How can some people say that Dirksen is wrong in endorsing Barry Goldwater? His endorsing of Barry shows not only what a great man Dirksen is but also how many good Republicans back Goldwater.

DOUGLAS B. HOEHN

Wyckoff, N.J.

Sir: Governor Scranton, after raising so many hopes by promising a bombshell in the convention, merely showed that no one has explained to him the difference between a bombshell and a bomb.

JOHN L. ANDERSON

Glen Gardner, N.J.

Sir: You can't help admiring a man like Scranton. His campaign never had a chance. Yet bravely and confidently—even desperately—he fought his (or is it America's?) losing battle.

ROSITA LOECHEL

San Leandro, Calif.

Sir: The churlish booing and hissing that greeted Rockefeller's efforts to reconcile the G.O.P. platform with the 20th century is demonstrative of the contempt in which the right-wing extremists and their dupes hold mainstream Republicanism. If the G.O.P. recoups its stature in this generation, it will be because of Rockefeller -and the other gallant warriors who chose not the neutral corner of Dickie and Ike, but who, being somewhat more cognizant of history, fought the good fight to keep Know Nothingism where it belongs—in the junk pile of rejected extremist efforts.

FRANKLIN LAMB

Boston