812 ADDRESSES AND STATE PAPERS

Republican Governors alone can claim this monopoly on the ex-
ecutive experience. In addition, we take great pride in the creative
and imaginative solutions to old and new problems devised by many
of our Republican Governors. Success as well as experience should
give credence to our views. In the 1968 Presidential election, with
dramatic issues and the destiny of our nation at stake, I feel a Gov-
ernor's most meaningful role will come at the Convention in the con-
struction of the Party's platform.

Certainly our role after the Convention is obvious. Republican
unity all the way and for all the ticket from top to bottom. Once we
clean house, we'll clean it thoroughly. Never before has our cause
been more clear or the prospect of our chances more promising.

Ever since Bobby Kennedy threw his hair in the ring, the Demo-
cratic Party has been headed for a split. The President backs the Vice-
President and I've heard he plans to campaign for him as soon as he
can remember his name. Senator McCarthy still has considerable sup-
port and most of his supporters will be able to vote for him by 1972.
Meanwhile, rank-and-file Democratic politicians seem to agree that
Bobby Kennedy is their second choice for President — with anyone
else as their first choice.

The only winner from Democratic infighting will be the Republican
Party. This year, as the Democrats struggle for power, Republicans
must battle for principle.

Principle is the key to the Republican thrust. Principle is the alter-
native to the Democratic Party's philosophic answer to all problems —
expedience! We have seen where government-by-expedience has
brought us. We are tired of a damn-the-details full speed ahead at-
titude.

Government-by-expedience does not criticize means or methods as
long as ends are achieved. Who needed to criticize civil disobedience
until it led to civil disorder? Who needed to worry about rising taxes
or rising spending until we reached the heights of inflation and stared
down into the volcano of dollar devaluation? Who needed to ques-
tion the conduct of a foreign war until the callous daily "body count"
began to include bodies close to so many of us?

The American dream is turning into a nightmare. The heroic
American has turned into the anxious American. The bread and
circus programs of the Great Society, like those of the once great
Roman Republic, seem to drain the vigor from our spirit. Where once