This must be one of the saddest days in the history of America.
Sorrow for all who patriotically placed their trust in the man who was Vice-President; sorrow for all who have looked upon the offices of the President and Vice-President as positions almost beyond criticism; sorrow for all our people, especially the young, who deserve so much better leadership than they have been given.
But it is no time now to replace this man precipitously with another person principally chosen by the same man whose judgment in the selection of his closest associates raises so many doubts.
Our nation needs moral integrity not political acceptability in this high office. Let’s give the people a chance to think; let’s give Congress a chance to reflect upon its special and unprecedented responsibilities in this matter. For in this situation, our Senators and Congressmen are surrogates for 250 million Americans, and they must not proceed as if they were merely confirming a Cabinet officer, Ambassador or even a Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
Finally, let’s all take time out to pray that our new choice for this position will be a national choice.
