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THE PRESIDENT: How many want to
disregard the break in the afternoon com-
pletely ?
I think there are about a third, which
would indicate that something less than
two-thirds favor the other way. Let us go
on for a little while and see how we do.
Let me take this further opportunity,
however, to urge this upon you. I am fully
mindful of the fact that this is the time of
the year when the last thing in the world
any of us wants is to be grinding away on
the very tough assignment that we have
down here. All of us would certainly like to
get a break for two or three days over the
New Year's holiday.
I just do not see how it is possible for
us to recess until we have concluded con-
sideration of all the second readings this
week. It seems to me we would be taking
a great deal of chance if we did that. I
think we have to move along.
Now, that being the case, and because
second readings are so terribly important
because it is your last chance to make any
changes, I urge all delegates to be present
at all sessions today, tonight, and to-
morrow, if necessary.
The next amendment that the Chair has
under the rule is Amendment T by Dele-
gate Roger.
Do you desire to offer the amendment,
Delegate Koger?
DELEGATE KOGER: Yes.
THE PRESIDENT: Will the pages
please distribute Amendment T. This will
be Amendment No. 1. The Clerk will read
the amendment.
READING CLERK: Amendment No. 1
to Committee Recommendations R&P-1 and
R&P-2, as amended by Report No. S&D-9
by Delegates Koger, Gallagher, Grant,
Moser, Stern, Burgess, Gilchrist, Rollins,
J. Clark, Morgan, Freedlander, Fox, Fred-
erick:
On page 1 in the preamble in line 10
after the word "liberty," add these words:
"economic opportunity".
THE PRESIDENT: The amendment is
submitted by Delegate Koger, seconded by
the other sponsors. The Chair recognizes
Delegate Koger.
DELEGATE KOGER: Mr. Chairman,
ladies and gentlemen of the Convention,
I am asking you to include in the preamble,
"economic opportunity", so that it would
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read, "To secure their right to life, liberty,
economic opportunity, and the pursuit of
happiness."
This weekend, I thought of my task of
asking4 this Convention to add to an already
completed Preamble this promise of eco-
nomic security, as an expression of future
hopes and aspirations. I thought of the
great leadership given this Committee by
Delegate Kiefer, and the despair he must
have felt when the recommendation was re-
jected. I thought of the loving and studious
care given this Preamble by Delegate
Beachley; I thought of all the research and
information presented so eloquently by
Delegate Mitchell; I, indeed, felt the hope-
lessness of my task.
As you know, I opposed the recommenda-
tion when it was first presented, and I
said that we could not enforce the recom-
mendation because it promised a welfare
state, and so I disapproved of it. I said it
could be a haven for lost hope, lack of
industry, and lack of ambition.
Reading late, trying to find some pearl
of wisdom to give me courage and inspira-
tion, I ran across these words of Emerson:
"There is no defeat except from within.
There is really no insurmountable barrier
save your own inherent weakness of pur-
pose."
I believe, I sincerely believe, that Ave can-
not mandate security and welfare. America
is successful and operates under the capi-
talistic system. You are taught, and it is
true, that if you work hard, learn, prac-
tice, are honest, save, initiate, you may
grow rich and prosperous. Horatio Alger-
like stories inspired me as a child to try to
look forward, to dream and persevere.
This is the only thing that keeps us going-.
It is the thing that makes America great,
that makes Americans different. We must
keep faith in our country and the belief
that right will prevail.
We need not fear revolution, as the evo-
lutionary forces work great change in the
method and manner of living and obtain the
best in man's pursuit of life, liberty, eco-
nomic opportunity, and happiness. Our age
has two forces: capital and labor, and they
constitute the main wheels in American
machinery. They enjoy success in exact
ratio to the extent that both apply the
Golden Rule. Capital and labor are essential
to each other.
Delegate Mitchell said that the rich are
growing richer and the poor poorer; that
automation had created a condition like
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