| From the Award-Winning Author of 1920: The Year of the Six Presidents |
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| Coming Soon from Union Square Press |
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Republican Party Platform of 1948
June 21, 1948
I Declaration of Principles
To establish and maintain peace, to build a country in which every citizen can earn a good living
with the promise of real progress for himself and his family, and to uphold as a beacon light for
mankind everywhere, the inspiring American tradition of liberty, opportunity and justice for all—
that is the Republican platform.
To this end we propose as a guide to definite action the following principles:
Maximum voluntary cooperation between citizens and minimum dependence on law; never,
however, declining courageous recourse to law if necessary.
Our competitive system furnishes vital opportunity for youth and for all enterprising citizens; it
makes possible the productive power which is the unique weapon of our national defense; and is
the mainspring of material well-being and political freedom.
Government, as the servant of such a system, should take all needed steps to strengthen and
develop public health, to promote scientific research, to provide security for the aged, and to
promote a stable economy so that men and women need not fear the loss of their jobs or the threat
of economic hardships through no fault of their own.
The rights and obligations of workers are commensurate with the rights and obligations of
employers and they are interdependent; these rights should be protected against coercion and
exploitation from whatever quarter and with due regard for the general welfare of all.
The soil as our basic natural resource must be conserved with increased effectiveness; and farm
prices should be supported on a just basis.
Development of the priceless national heritage which is in our West is vital to our nation.
Administration of government must be economical and effective.
Faulty governmental policies share an important responsibility for the present cruelly high cost of
living. We pledge prompt action to correct these policies. There must be decent living at decent
wages.
Our common defense must be strengthened and unified.
Our foreign policy is dedicated to preserving a free America in a free world of free men. This calls
for strengthening the United Nations and primary recognition of America's self-interest in the liberty
of other peoples. Prudently conserving our own resources, we shall cooperate on a self-help basis
with other peace-loving nations.
Constant and effective insistence on the personal dignity of the individual, and his right to complete
justice without regard to race, creed or color, is a fundamental American principle.
We aim always to unite and to strengthen; never to weaken or divide. In such a brotherhood will
we Americans get results. Thus we will overcome all obstacles.
II
In the past eighteen months, the Republican Congress, in the face of frequent obstruction from the
Executive Branch, made a record of solid achievement. Here are some of the accomplishments of
this Republican Congress:
The long trend of extravagant and ill-advised Executive action reversed;
the budget balanced;
taxes reduced;
limitation of Presidential tenure to two terms passed;
assistance to veterans, their widows and orphans provided;
assistance to agriculture and business enacted;
elimination of the poll tax as a requisite to soldier voting;
a sensible reform of the labor law, protecting all rights of Labor while safeguarding the entire
community against those breakdowns in essential industries which endanger the health and
livelihood of all;
a long-range farm program enacted;
unification of the armed services launched;
a military manpower law enacted;
the United Nations fostered;
a haven for displaced persons provided;
the most far-reaching measures in history adopted to aid the recovery of the free world on a basis
of self-help and with prudent regard for our own resources;
and, finally, the development of intelligent plans and party teamwork for the day when the
American people entrust the Executive as well as the Legislative branch of our National
Government to the Republican Party.
We shall waste few words on the tragic lack of foresight and general inadequacy of those now in
charge of the Executive Branch of the National Government; they have lost the confidence of
citizens of all parties.
III
Present cruelly high prices are due in large part to the fact that the government has not effectively
used the powers it possesses to combat inflation, but has deliberately encouraged higher prices.
We pledge an attack upon the basic causes of inflation, including the following measures:
progressive reduction of the cost of government through elimination of waste;
stimulation of production as the surest way to lower prices;
fiscal policies to provide increased incentives for production and thrift;
a sound currency;
reduction of the public debt.
We pledge further, that in the management of our National Government, we shall achieve the
abolition of overlapping, duplication, extravagance, and excessive centralization;
the more efficient assignment of functions within the government;
and the rooting out of Communism wherever found.
These things are fundamental.
IV
We must, however, do more.
The Constitution gives us the affirmative mandate "to establish justice."
In Lincoln's words: The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The
occasion is piled high with difficulty and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we
must think anew and act anew.
The tragic experience of Europe tells us that popular government disappears when it is ineffective
and no longer can translate into action the aims and the aspirations of the people.
Therefore, in domestic affairs, we propose:
The maintenance of armed services for air, land and sea, to a degree which will insure our national
security; and the achievement of effective unity in the Department of National Defense so as to
insure maximum economy in money and manpower, and maximum effectiveness in case of war.
We favor sustained effective action to procure sufficient manpower for the services, recognizing
the American principle that every citizen has an obligation of service to his country.
An adequate privately operated merchant marine, the continued development of our harbors and
waterways, and the expansion of privately operated air transportation and communication systems.
The maintenance of Federal finances in a healthy condition and continuation of the efforts so well
started by the Republican Congress to reduce the enormous burden of taxation in order to provide
incentives for the creation of new industries and new jobs, and to bring relief from inflation. We
favor intelligent integration of Federal-State taxing and spending policies designed to eliminate
wasteful duplication, and in order that the State and local governments may be able to assume their
separate responsibilities, the Federal government shall as soon as practicable withdraw or reduce
those taxes which can be best administered by local governments, with particular consideration of
excise and inheritance taxes; and we favor restoring to America a working federalism.
Small business, the bulwark of American enterprise, must be encouraged through aggressive anti-
monopoly action, elimination of unnecessary controls, protection against discrimination, correction
of tax abuses, and limitation of competition by governmental organizations.
Collective bargaining is an obligation as well as a right, applying equally to workers and employers;
and the fundamental right to strike is subordinate only to paramount considerations of public health
and safety. Government's chief function in this field is to promote good will, encourage
cooperation, and where resort is had to intervention, to be impartial, preventing violence and
requiring obedience to all law by all parties involved. We pledge continuing study to improve labor-
management legislation in the light of experience and changing conditions.
There must be a long-term program in the interest of agriculture and the consumer which should
include: An accelerated program of sounder soil conservation; effective protection of reasonable
market prices through flexible support prices, commodity loans, marketing agreements, together
with such other means as may be necessary, and the development of sound farm credit;
encouragement of family-size farms; intensified research to discover new crops, new uses for
existing crops, and control of hoof and mouth and other animal diseases and crop pests; support of
the principle of bona fide farmer-owned and farmer-operated co-operatives, and sound rural
electrification.
We favor progressive development of the Nation's water resources for navigation, flood control
and power, with immediate action in critical areas.
We favor conservation of all our natural resources and believe that conservation and stock-piling
of strategic and critical raw materials is indispensable to the security of the United States.
We urge the full development of our forests on the basis of cropping and sustained yield with co-
operation of States and private owners for conservation and fire protection.
We favor a comprehensive reclamation program for arid and semi-arid areas with full protection of
the rights and interests of the States in the use and control of water for irrigation, power
development incidental thereto and other beneficial uses; withdrawal or acquisition of lands for
public purposes only by Act of Congress and after due consideration of local problems;
development of processes for the extraction of oil and other substances from oil shale and coal;
adequate representation of the West in the National Administration.
Recognizing the Nation's solemn obligation to all veterans, we propose a realistic and adequate
adjustment of benefits on a cost-of-living basis for service-connected disabled veterans and their
dependents, and for the widows, orphans and dependents of veterans who died in the service of
their country. All disabled veterans should have ample opportunity for suitable, self-sustaining
employment. We demand good-faith compliance with veterans preference in Federal service with
simplification and codification of the hundreds of piecemeal Federal laws affecting veterans, and
efficient and businesslike management of the Veterans Administration. We pledge the highest
possible standards of medical care and hospitalization.
Housing can best be supplied and financed by private enterprise; but government can and should
encourage the building of better homes at less cost. We recommend Federal aid to the States for
local slum clearance and low-rental housing programs only where there is a need that cannot be
met either by private enterprise or by the States and localities.
Consistent with the vigorous existence of our competitive economy, we urge: extension of the
Federal Old Age and Survivors' Insurance program and increase of the benefits to a more realistic
level; strengthening of Federal-State programs designed to provide more adequate hospital
facilities, too improve methods of treatment for the mentally ill, to advance maternal and child
health and generally to foster a healthy America.
Lynching or any other form of mob violence anywhere is a disgrace to any civilized state, and we
favor the prompt enactment of legislation to end this infamy.
One of the basic principles of this Republic is the equality of all individuals in their right to life,
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This principle is enunciated in the Declaration of
Independence and embodied in the Constitution of the United States; it was vindicated on the field
of battle and became the cornerstone of this Republic. This right of equal opportunity to work and
to advance in life should never be limited in any individual because of race, religion, color, or
country of origin. We favor the enactment and just enforcement of such Federal legislation as may
be necessary to maintain this right at all times in every part of this Republic.
We favor the abolition of the poll tax as a requisite to voting.
We are opposed to the idea of racial segregation in the armed services of the United States.
V
We pledge a vigorous enforcement of existing laws against Communists and enactment of such
new legislation as may be necessary to expose the treasonable activities of Communists and defeat
their objective of establishing here a godless dictatorship controlled from abroad.
We favor a revision of the procedure for the election of the President and Vice President which
will more exactly reflect the popular vote.
We recommend to Congress the submission of a constitutional amendment providing equal rights
for women.
We favor equal pay for equal work regardless of sex.
We propose a well-paid and efficient Federal career service.
We favor the elimination of unnecessary Federal bureaus and of the duplication of the functions of
necessary governmental agencies.
We favor equality of educational opportunity for all and the promotion of education and
educational facilities.
We favor restoration to the States of their historic rights to the tide and submerged lands, tributary
waters, lakes, and streams.
We favor eventual statehood for Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico. We urge development of
Alaskan land communications and natural resources.
We favor self-government for the residents of the nation's capital.
VI
We dedicate our foreign policy to the preservation of a free America in a free world of free men.
With neither malice nor desire for conquest, we shall strive for a just peace with all nations.
America is deeply interested in the stability, security and liberty of other independent peoples.
Within the prudent limits of our own economic welfare, we shall cooperate, on a basis of self-help
and mutual aid, to assist other peace-loping nations to restore their economic independence and
the human rights and fundamental freedoms for which we fought two wars and upon which
dependable peace must build. We shall insist on businesslike and efficient administration of all
foreign aid.
We welcome and encourage the sturdy progress toward unity in Western Europe.
We shall erect our foreign policy on the basis of friendly firmness which welcomes co-operation
but spurns appeasement. We shall pursue a consistent foreign policy which invites steadiness and
reliance and which thus avoids the misunderstandings from which wars result. We shall protect the
future against the errors of the Democrat Administration, which has too often lacked clarity,
competence or consistency in our vital international relationships and has too often abandoned
justice.
We believe in collective security against aggression and in behalf of justice and freedom. We shall
support the United Nations as the world's best hope in this direction, striving to strengthen it and
promote its effective evolution and use. The United Nations should progressively establish
international law, be freed of any veto in the peaceful settlement of international disputes, and be
provided with the armed forces contemplated by the Charter. We particularly commend the value
of regional arrangements as prescribed by the Charter; and we cite the Western Hemispheric
Defense Pact as a useful model.
We shall nourish these Pan-American agreements in the new spirit of co-operation which
implements the Monroe Doctrine.
We welcome Israel into the family of nations and take pride in the fact that the Republican Party
was the first to call for the establishment of a free and independent Jewish Commonwealth. The
vacillation of the Democrat Administration on this question has undermined the prestige of the
United Nations. Subject to the letter and spirit of the United Nations Charter, we pledge to Israel
full recognition, with its boundaries as sanctioned by the United Nations and aid in developing its
economy.
We will foster and cherish our historic policy of friendship with China and assert our deep interest
in the maintenance of its integrity and freedom.
We shall seek to restore autonomy and self-sufficiency as rapidly as possible in our post-war
occupied areas, guarding always against any rebirth of aggression.
We shall relentlessly pursue our aims for the universal limitation and control of arms and
implements of war on a basis of reliable disciplines against bad faith.
At all times safeguarding our own industry and agriculture, and under efficient administrative
procedures for the legitimate consideration of domestic needs, we shall support the system of
reciprocal trade and encourage international commerce.
We pledge that under a Republican Administration all foreign commitments shall be made public
and subject to constitutional ratification. We shall say what we mean and mean what we say. In all
of these things we shall primarily consult the national security and welfare of our own United
States. In all of these things we shall welcome the world's co-operation. But in none of these things
shall we surrender our ideals or our free institutions.
We are proud of the part that Republicans have taken in those limited areas of foreign policy in
which they have been permitted to participate. We shall invite the Minority Party to join us under
the next Republican Administration in stopping partisan politics at the water's edge.
We faithfully dedicate ourselves to peace with justice.
VII
Guided by these principles, with continuing faith in Almighty God; united in the spirit of
brotherhood; and using to the full the skills, resources and blessings of liberty with which we are
endowed; we, the American people, will courageously advance to meet the challenge of the future.
June 21, 1948
I Declaration of Principles
To establish and maintain peace, to build a country in which every citizen can earn a good living
with the promise of real progress for himself and his family, and to uphold as a beacon light for
mankind everywhere, the inspiring American tradition of liberty, opportunity and justice for all—
that is the Republican platform.
To this end we propose as a guide to definite action the following principles:
Maximum voluntary cooperation between citizens and minimum dependence on law; never,
however, declining courageous recourse to law if necessary.
Our competitive system furnishes vital opportunity for youth and for all enterprising citizens; it
makes possible the productive power which is the unique weapon of our national defense; and is
the mainspring of material well-being and political freedom.
Government, as the servant of such a system, should take all needed steps to strengthen and
develop public health, to promote scientific research, to provide security for the aged, and to
promote a stable economy so that men and women need not fear the loss of their jobs or the threat
of economic hardships through no fault of their own.
The rights and obligations of workers are commensurate with the rights and obligations of
employers and they are interdependent; these rights should be protected against coercion and
exploitation from whatever quarter and with due regard for the general welfare of all.
The soil as our basic natural resource must be conserved with increased effectiveness; and farm
prices should be supported on a just basis.
Development of the priceless national heritage which is in our West is vital to our nation.
Administration of government must be economical and effective.
Faulty governmental policies share an important responsibility for the present cruelly high cost of
living. We pledge prompt action to correct these policies. There must be decent living at decent
wages.
Our common defense must be strengthened and unified.
Our foreign policy is dedicated to preserving a free America in a free world of free men. This calls
for strengthening the United Nations and primary recognition of America's self-interest in the liberty
of other peoples. Prudently conserving our own resources, we shall cooperate on a self-help basis
with other peace-loving nations.
Constant and effective insistence on the personal dignity of the individual, and his right to complete
justice without regard to race, creed or color, is a fundamental American principle.
We aim always to unite and to strengthen; never to weaken or divide. In such a brotherhood will
we Americans get results. Thus we will overcome all obstacles.
II
In the past eighteen months, the Republican Congress, in the face of frequent obstruction from the
Executive Branch, made a record of solid achievement. Here are some of the accomplishments of
this Republican Congress:
The long trend of extravagant and ill-advised Executive action reversed;
the budget balanced;
taxes reduced;
limitation of Presidential tenure to two terms passed;
assistance to veterans, their widows and orphans provided;
assistance to agriculture and business enacted;
elimination of the poll tax as a requisite to soldier voting;
a sensible reform of the labor law, protecting all rights of Labor while safeguarding the entire
community against those breakdowns in essential industries which endanger the health and
livelihood of all;
a long-range farm program enacted;
unification of the armed services launched;
a military manpower law enacted;
the United Nations fostered;
a haven for displaced persons provided;
the most far-reaching measures in history adopted to aid the recovery of the free world on a basis
of self-help and with prudent regard for our own resources;
and, finally, the development of intelligent plans and party teamwork for the day when the
American people entrust the Executive as well as the Legislative branch of our National
Government to the Republican Party.
We shall waste few words on the tragic lack of foresight and general inadequacy of those now in
charge of the Executive Branch of the National Government; they have lost the confidence of
citizens of all parties.
III
Present cruelly high prices are due in large part to the fact that the government has not effectively
used the powers it possesses to combat inflation, but has deliberately encouraged higher prices.
We pledge an attack upon the basic causes of inflation, including the following measures:
progressive reduction of the cost of government through elimination of waste;
stimulation of production as the surest way to lower prices;
fiscal policies to provide increased incentives for production and thrift;
a sound currency;
reduction of the public debt.
We pledge further, that in the management of our National Government, we shall achieve the
abolition of overlapping, duplication, extravagance, and excessive centralization;
the more efficient assignment of functions within the government;
and the rooting out of Communism wherever found.
These things are fundamental.
IV
We must, however, do more.
The Constitution gives us the affirmative mandate "to establish justice."
In Lincoln's words: The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The
occasion is piled high with difficulty and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we
must think anew and act anew.
The tragic experience of Europe tells us that popular government disappears when it is ineffective
and no longer can translate into action the aims and the aspirations of the people.
Therefore, in domestic affairs, we propose:
The maintenance of armed services for air, land and sea, to a degree which will insure our national
security; and the achievement of effective unity in the Department of National Defense so as to
insure maximum economy in money and manpower, and maximum effectiveness in case of war.
We favor sustained effective action to procure sufficient manpower for the services, recognizing
the American principle that every citizen has an obligation of service to his country.
An adequate privately operated merchant marine, the continued development of our harbors and
waterways, and the expansion of privately operated air transportation and communication systems.
The maintenance of Federal finances in a healthy condition and continuation of the efforts so well
started by the Republican Congress to reduce the enormous burden of taxation in order to provide
incentives for the creation of new industries and new jobs, and to bring relief from inflation. We
favor intelligent integration of Federal-State taxing and spending policies designed to eliminate
wasteful duplication, and in order that the State and local governments may be able to assume their
separate responsibilities, the Federal government shall as soon as practicable withdraw or reduce
those taxes which can be best administered by local governments, with particular consideration of
excise and inheritance taxes; and we favor restoring to America a working federalism.
Small business, the bulwark of American enterprise, must be encouraged through aggressive anti-
monopoly action, elimination of unnecessary controls, protection against discrimination, correction
of tax abuses, and limitation of competition by governmental organizations.
Collective bargaining is an obligation as well as a right, applying equally to workers and employers;
and the fundamental right to strike is subordinate only to paramount considerations of public health
and safety. Government's chief function in this field is to promote good will, encourage
cooperation, and where resort is had to intervention, to be impartial, preventing violence and
requiring obedience to all law by all parties involved. We pledge continuing study to improve labor-
management legislation in the light of experience and changing conditions.
There must be a long-term program in the interest of agriculture and the consumer which should
include: An accelerated program of sounder soil conservation; effective protection of reasonable
market prices through flexible support prices, commodity loans, marketing agreements, together
with such other means as may be necessary, and the development of sound farm credit;
encouragement of family-size farms; intensified research to discover new crops, new uses for
existing crops, and control of hoof and mouth and other animal diseases and crop pests; support of
the principle of bona fide farmer-owned and farmer-operated co-operatives, and sound rural
electrification.
We favor progressive development of the Nation's water resources for navigation, flood control
and power, with immediate action in critical areas.
We favor conservation of all our natural resources and believe that conservation and stock-piling
of strategic and critical raw materials is indispensable to the security of the United States.
We urge the full development of our forests on the basis of cropping and sustained yield with co-
operation of States and private owners for conservation and fire protection.
We favor a comprehensive reclamation program for arid and semi-arid areas with full protection of
the rights and interests of the States in the use and control of water for irrigation, power
development incidental thereto and other beneficial uses; withdrawal or acquisition of lands for
public purposes only by Act of Congress and after due consideration of local problems;
development of processes for the extraction of oil and other substances from oil shale and coal;
adequate representation of the West in the National Administration.
Recognizing the Nation's solemn obligation to all veterans, we propose a realistic and adequate
adjustment of benefits on a cost-of-living basis for service-connected disabled veterans and their
dependents, and for the widows, orphans and dependents of veterans who died in the service of
their country. All disabled veterans should have ample opportunity for suitable, self-sustaining
employment. We demand good-faith compliance with veterans preference in Federal service with
simplification and codification of the hundreds of piecemeal Federal laws affecting veterans, and
efficient and businesslike management of the Veterans Administration. We pledge the highest
possible standards of medical care and hospitalization.
Housing can best be supplied and financed by private enterprise; but government can and should
encourage the building of better homes at less cost. We recommend Federal aid to the States for
local slum clearance and low-rental housing programs only where there is a need that cannot be
met either by private enterprise or by the States and localities.
Consistent with the vigorous existence of our competitive economy, we urge: extension of the
Federal Old Age and Survivors' Insurance program and increase of the benefits to a more realistic
level; strengthening of Federal-State programs designed to provide more adequate hospital
facilities, too improve methods of treatment for the mentally ill, to advance maternal and child
health and generally to foster a healthy America.
Lynching or any other form of mob violence anywhere is a disgrace to any civilized state, and we
favor the prompt enactment of legislation to end this infamy.
One of the basic principles of this Republic is the equality of all individuals in their right to life,
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This principle is enunciated in the Declaration of
Independence and embodied in the Constitution of the United States; it was vindicated on the field
of battle and became the cornerstone of this Republic. This right of equal opportunity to work and
to advance in life should never be limited in any individual because of race, religion, color, or
country of origin. We favor the enactment and just enforcement of such Federal legislation as may
be necessary to maintain this right at all times in every part of this Republic.
We favor the abolition of the poll tax as a requisite to voting.
We are opposed to the idea of racial segregation in the armed services of the United States.
V
We pledge a vigorous enforcement of existing laws against Communists and enactment of such
new legislation as may be necessary to expose the treasonable activities of Communists and defeat
their objective of establishing here a godless dictatorship controlled from abroad.
We favor a revision of the procedure for the election of the President and Vice President which
will more exactly reflect the popular vote.
We recommend to Congress the submission of a constitutional amendment providing equal rights
for women.
We favor equal pay for equal work regardless of sex.
We propose a well-paid and efficient Federal career service.
We favor the elimination of unnecessary Federal bureaus and of the duplication of the functions of
necessary governmental agencies.
We favor equality of educational opportunity for all and the promotion of education and
educational facilities.
We favor restoration to the States of their historic rights to the tide and submerged lands, tributary
waters, lakes, and streams.
We favor eventual statehood for Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico. We urge development of
Alaskan land communications and natural resources.
We favor self-government for the residents of the nation's capital.
VI
We dedicate our foreign policy to the preservation of a free America in a free world of free men.
With neither malice nor desire for conquest, we shall strive for a just peace with all nations.
America is deeply interested in the stability, security and liberty of other independent peoples.
Within the prudent limits of our own economic welfare, we shall cooperate, on a basis of self-help
and mutual aid, to assist other peace-loping nations to restore their economic independence and
the human rights and fundamental freedoms for which we fought two wars and upon which
dependable peace must build. We shall insist on businesslike and efficient administration of all
foreign aid.
We welcome and encourage the sturdy progress toward unity in Western Europe.
We shall erect our foreign policy on the basis of friendly firmness which welcomes co-operation
but spurns appeasement. We shall pursue a consistent foreign policy which invites steadiness and
reliance and which thus avoids the misunderstandings from which wars result. We shall protect the
future against the errors of the Democrat Administration, which has too often lacked clarity,
competence or consistency in our vital international relationships and has too often abandoned
justice.
We believe in collective security against aggression and in behalf of justice and freedom. We shall
support the United Nations as the world's best hope in this direction, striving to strengthen it and
promote its effective evolution and use. The United Nations should progressively establish
international law, be freed of any veto in the peaceful settlement of international disputes, and be
provided with the armed forces contemplated by the Charter. We particularly commend the value
of regional arrangements as prescribed by the Charter; and we cite the Western Hemispheric
Defense Pact as a useful model.
We shall nourish these Pan-American agreements in the new spirit of co-operation which
implements the Monroe Doctrine.
We welcome Israel into the family of nations and take pride in the fact that the Republican Party
was the first to call for the establishment of a free and independent Jewish Commonwealth. The
vacillation of the Democrat Administration on this question has undermined the prestige of the
United Nations. Subject to the letter and spirit of the United Nations Charter, we pledge to Israel
full recognition, with its boundaries as sanctioned by the United Nations and aid in developing its
economy.
We will foster and cherish our historic policy of friendship with China and assert our deep interest
in the maintenance of its integrity and freedom.
We shall seek to restore autonomy and self-sufficiency as rapidly as possible in our post-war
occupied areas, guarding always against any rebirth of aggression.
We shall relentlessly pursue our aims for the universal limitation and control of arms and
implements of war on a basis of reliable disciplines against bad faith.
At all times safeguarding our own industry and agriculture, and under efficient administrative
procedures for the legitimate consideration of domestic needs, we shall support the system of
reciprocal trade and encourage international commerce.
We pledge that under a Republican Administration all foreign commitments shall be made public
and subject to constitutional ratification. We shall say what we mean and mean what we say. In all
of these things we shall primarily consult the national security and welfare of our own United
States. In all of these things we shall welcome the world's co-operation. But in none of these things
shall we surrender our ideals or our free institutions.
We are proud of the part that Republicans have taken in those limited areas of foreign policy in
which they have been permitted to participate. We shall invite the Minority Party to join us under
the next Republican Administration in stopping partisan politics at the water's edge.
We faithfully dedicate ourselves to peace with justice.
VII
Guided by these principles, with continuing faith in Almighty God; united in the spirit of
brotherhood; and using to the full the skills, resources and blessings of liberty with which we are
endowed; we, the American people, will courageously advance to meet the challenge of the future.