The Undelivered Speech

John Gardner, Republican, educator, once Health, Education and Welfare Secretary in a Democratic Administration, now chairman of the National Urban Coalition, had undertaken to speak about urban affairs. His forum: the Illinois Constitutional Convention, which is considering a new instrument of government for the state. But as the speech date approached, he decided instead to deal with the hotter subject of the nation's perils and potentials. When the convention president, Samuel Witwer, got an advance look at Gardner's speech, he invited his guest to substitute the address originally scheduled or cancel the appearance. The remarks Gardner wanted to give, said Witwer, constituted a "very serious rebuke" to Richard Nixon and "might well have jeopardized" the delegates' nonpartisan work. Gardner returned to Washington, released his speech, which, of course, got far more attention than it would have if delivered as scheduled. Excerpts:

A GREAT many informed Americans believe, justly or not, that the President is isolated, that he is not adequately exposed to reasonable opposing views. They believe that he has not offered the level of moral leadership which we so need. They believe that he has given undue sanction to members of his Administration who seem committed to divisive courses of action.

The President has two and three-quarter years remaining before the end of his term. It is essential that in those years the nation be governed by a man who is in touch with all segments of American opinion, a man who understands that people in power usually have deep complicity in their own isolation. But I am not interested in indicting the President, because I believe that virtually all of us have failed in our duty as Americans. While each of us pursues his selfish interest and comforts himself by blaming others, the nation disintegrates. I use the phrase soberly: the nation disintegrates.

The crisis in confidence is deepened by the divisiveness that afflicts the nation. We have seen hatred and rage, violence and coercion at both ends of the political spectrum. And matching the violent deeds we have had provocative and ill-considered statements from those in high places.

One might suppose that as extremists become inflammatory, moderates would close ranks and oppose them. Just the opposite is occurring. The moderates begin to take sides against one another. It must be said that most of them have a secret complicity in the activities of the extremist. The moderate conservative does not explicitly approve of police brutality, but something in him is not unpleased when the club comes down on the head of a long-haired student. The liberal does not endorse violence by the extreme left, but he may take secret pleasure in such action when it discomfits those in authority.

How does one hold the nation together? We must support leaders prepared to bring about constructive change. We must examine every one of our institutions to see where reform or structural redesign will help them adapt to contemporary needs. We must isolate the small segment of our population who are practitioners of violence and coercion. We must reject leaders who exploit our fear and hatred.

We neglect government. We scorn politics. No wonder we're in trouble! It is not just our young people who must recognize the value of the political process. Citizens generally should give far more attention to every phase of that process. Some should run for office. Some should engage in lobbying. Some should give money and time. Others should undertake to influence public opinion. It is precisely to the political process that we must turn to end the war in Southeast Asia.

At this moment, the war is the most divisive element in our national life. We cannot be--as the President so mistakenly believes--the "peacekeeper in the Asian world." The objectives should be to withdraw all U.S. forces from Cambodia now, avoid further escalation in any form [and] achieve an orderly termination of our presence in Viet Nam within one year.

The end of the war will be only the beginning of the healing of this nation. If Americans continue on their present path, their epitaph might well be that they were a potentially great people--a marvelously dynamic people--who for. got their obligations to one another.

Here are minimum objectives:

> The redesign of government at all levels to create accountable and responsive institutions and processes.

> The elimination of poverty, hunger and deprivation and the achievement of equal opportunity in every aspect of American life.

> Immediate and far-reaching moves to protect the environment.

> Improvements in education, in health care and in law enforcement and the administration of justice.

> Sustained economic growth and the control of inflation.

> A massive effort to rebuild physical America to accommodate the growth expected between now and the year 2000.

We must recognize that each of us must give up something to save the nation. 1 may have to pay more taxes. The corporate president may have to spend more on pollution control. The suburban resident may have to temper his racial prejudices. The wage earner may have to loosen up access to his union. We have it in us to be a better people. It is a matter now of summoning the will to act.

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