The Guns of November
Sir: The Republican Party has managed to jam the executioner's gun that seemed so ready to fire after 1964 [Nov. 18]. To those who see the two-party system as an important factor in the maintenance of U.S. democracy, a revived G.O.P. is a comforting sight. However, Republicans have no reason to hope for anything more than temporary resurrection unless the discontent that put them into office spurs them into offering fresh ideas for dealing with the problems that now weigh upon our society.
MICHAEL LIVINGSTON Austin, Texas
Sir: I have just completed reading your fine, well-edited post-election issue, and find it necessary to add the name of Thomas E. Devvey to the honor roll of leading Republicans for 1968. Almost a half-century of outstanding public service, plus his vigorous participation in the new Republican Coordinating Committee formed after the 1964 G.O.P. tragedy, more than qualify Dewey for the 1968 presidential nomination. The G.O.P. should run Nixon for Vice President, and Barry M. Goldwater should be and will be returned to the Senate. Tom, Dick and Barry are a trio that's really great for a Republican triumph in 1968.
ARTHUR R. BLACK Detroit
Sir: In spite of the fact that the Minnesota state bird is the loon, it would probably be mere appropriate for Vice President Humphrey to order that 20-lb. turkey for Richard Nixon and a nice juicy crow for himself.
ERNEST H. KANNING III Helsinki, Finland
Sir: One Edward Brooke is worth an entire trainload of Stokely Carmichaels and Martin Luther Kings in the betterment of the Negro in America. His great victory bodes good fortune not only for him but for his party and his people. Hats off to this dynamic Republican!
GIFFORD C. TERRY Polo, Ill.
Sir: As a liberal who deserted Senator Douglas in the election, I would like to make it clear that neither the so-called white backlash nor Senator Douglas' age played any part in my decision to support Charles Percy. My decision was based almost entirely on their stands on Viet Nam. Percy's position, while certainly not dovelike, was far less militant than Douglas'. I feel that Percy can better represent my thinking on this most vital issue of securing peace in Viet Nam.
ELISABETH SCHILLINGER Champaign, Ill.
Sir: As a native of Arkansas, I salute Winthrop Rockefeller for pointing out to an egregious demagogue that bigoted rednecks are in the minority in the state.
EDGAR E. DUNCAN, M.D. Seattle
Sir: The reigning public has elected Wallace Governor of Alabama, Reagan Governor of California and, most likely, Maddox Governor of Georgia. I am beginning to understand why Hamilton said: "Unfortunately, they have truth on their side who say that the great mass of mankind cannot be trusted with decisions for their own welfare. The decisions had better be made by those who by birth, education or knowledge are better enabled to determine what is in their interest than are the people themselves."
PAMELA Rocow Los Angeles
Sir: Let all realists, in their despair over Ronald Reagan, not scold us Californians too much. It might have been John Wayne.
DAVID H. RUJA Los Angeles