Margaret Chase Smith
Margaret Chase Smith
Margaret Madeline Chase Smith was an American politician. A member of the Republican Party, she served as a U.S Representativeand a U.S. Senatorfrom Maine. She was the first woman to serve in both houses of the United States Congress, and the first woman to represent Maine in either. A moderate Republican, she is perhaps best remembered for her 1950 speech, "Declaration of Conscience," in which she criticized the tactics of McCarthyism...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionPolitician
Date of Birth14 December 1897
CountryUnited States of America
Margaret Chase Smith quotes about
Every human being is entitled to courtesy and consideration. Constructive criticism is not only to be expected but sought.
Moral cowardice that keeps us from speaking our minds is as dangerous to this country as irresponsible talk
Women administer the home. They set the rules, enforce them, mete out justice for violations. Thus, like Congress, they legislate; like the Executive, they administer; like the courts, they interpret the rules. It is an ideal experience for politics.
The American people are sick and tired of being afraid to speak their minds lest they be politically smeared as 'Communists' or 'Fascists' by their opponents. Freedom of speech is not what it used to be in America. It has been so abused by some that it is not exercised by others.
My creed is that public service must be more than doing a job efficiently and honestly. It must be a complete dedication to the people and to the nation with full recognition that every human being is entitled to courtesy and consideration, that constructive criticism is not only to be expected but sought, that smears are not only to be expected but fought, that honor is to be earned, not bought.
The right to criticize: the right to hold unpopular beliefs; the right to protest; the right of independent thought. The exercise of these rights should not cost one single American citizen his reputation or his right to a livelihood... Otherwise none of us could call our souls our own.
Public service must be more than doing a job efficiently and honestly. It must be a complete dedication to the people and to the nation.
The right way is not always the popular and easy way. Standing for right when it is unpopular is a true test of moral character.
When people keep telling you that you can't do a thing, you kind of like to try it.
Those of us who shout the loudest about Americanism, are all too frequently those who . . . ignore some of the basic principles of Americanism-the right to criticize, the right to hold unpopular beliefs, the right to protest, the right of independent thought.
I do not want to see the Republican party ride to political victory on the Four Horsemen of Calumny-fear, ignorance, bigotry and smear.
I am running against no one. I'd like to be President. I think my experience and my record are greater than any other candidate or any other of the unannounced candidates. It's a real challenge, and that's one of the paramount things. When people keep telling you that you can't do a thing, you kind of like to try it.
Strength, the American way, is not manifested by threats of criminal prosecution or police state methods.Leadership is not manifested by coercion, even against the resented. Greatness is not manifested by unlimited pragmatism, which places such a high premium on the end justifying any means and any methods.
I don't believe the American people will uphold any political party that puts political exploitation above national interest. Surely we Republicans aren't that desperate for victory.