○  1964 republican national convention address  ○

the one way to make government a durable ally of the whole man, rather than his determined enemy. we see in the sanctity of private property the only durable foundation for constitutional government in a free society. and -- and beyond that, we see, in cherished diversity of ways, diversity of thoughts, of motives and accomplishments. we don't seek to lead anyone's life for him. we only seek -- only seek to secure his rights, guarantee him opportunity -- guarantee him opportunity to strive, with government performing only those needed and constitutionally sanctioned tasks which cannot otherwise be performed.

we republicans seek a government that attends to its inherent responsibilities of maintaining a stable monetary and fiscal climate, encouraging a free and a competitive economy and enforcing law and order. thus, do we seek inventiveness, diversity, and creative difference within a stable order, for we republicans define government's role where needed at many, many levels -- preferably, though, the one closest to the people involved.

our towns and our cities, then our counties, then our states, then our regional compacts -- and only then, the national government. that, let me remind you, is the ladder of liberty, built by decentralized power. on it also we must have balance between the branches of government at every level.

balance, diversity, creative difference: these are the elements of the republican equation. republicans agree -- republicans agree heartily to disagree on many, many of their applications, but we have never disagreed on the basic fundamental issues of why you and i are republicans.

this is a party. this republican party is a party for free men, not for blind followers, and not for conformists.

in fact, in 1858 abraham lincoln said this of the republican party -- and i quote him, because he probably could have said it during the last week or so: "it was composed of strange, discordant, and even hostile elements

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