Meaning for Moderation

In 1952 Adlai Stevenson spoke on racial discrimination to a segregated audience in Richmond, Virginia. The speech was moderate, but left no doubt that Stevenson was determined to campaign for civil rights.

Those who found courage and power in the Richmond speech have had few such experiences in 1956. Both in California and Oregon Stevenson has left the impression that moderation is political terminology for inaction rather than integration "with all due speed."

Staunch supporters of Stevenson claim he was misunderstood on the West Coast. If so, he has not yet corrected the misunderstanding. Last Sunday, reporters on Meet the Press questioned Stevenson sharply on his civil rights' platform. He analyzed each question semantically, refused to commit himself, and indignantly asked if it were necessary for the Democratic Party to go on record in favor of law enforcement. Stevenson further reasoned that since the Democrats had a good civil rights platform in 1952, they would probably have a good one again this year. At no time did the Governor speak with conviction or define his "moderate" position.

Stevenson must convince the American voters that moderation is neither a political strategy nor a means of dodging embarrassing questions. In emphasizing the complexities of the situation he must not lose sight of the final goal--racial integration.

Although Stevenson has not yet clarified the moderate position, there are indications that he will perhaps do so. Speaking in New York last Wednesday, he said that President Eisenhower has not used his leadership to create an atmosphere in which intergration could be accomplished. Stevenson pledged himself to work, if he were President, "in the knowledge that law and order are the Executive's responsibility."

This is a step in the right direction, but one speech does not correct a three-month impression. The nation already knows that integration is a perplexing problem: Stevenson must go beyond this and present a convincing civil rights platform which recaptures some of the 1952 passion for equal rights.