Friday, Oct. 30, 1964 University Daily Kansan
DO WE THE CITIZENS HAVE A DEEPER RESPONSIBILITY IN THIS CAMPAIGN?
Do we really wish to make decisions on vital issues?
Do listening, reading, discussing, thinking, judging and voting have any meaning at all?
Do we want to continue to choose the best men for public office?
or
Do we want elections, and consequently our government, to be dominated by innuendo and defamation of character?
We regret the increased quantity of vicious, irresponsible, half-true or deliberately untrue material which has infected our political campaigns. "Hate" literature is not new in the United States, but now in two successive presidential campaigns such literature has been an obvious factor in most areas of the country. In 1960 the literature of this kind invented outrageous lies, perverted the truth, and encouraged bigotry against both candidates, but especially against one because of his religious faith. Now, in 1964, the literature is out in greater abundance than ever — sent anonymously through the mails, slipped into magazines at our public library, left in our post office, distributed widely to University students, and sold to the public for subsidized prices. Such literature has been produced against both candidates, but most is currently directed against the President of the United States.
We ask that our fellow citizens think carefully in the next few days, judging candidates on issues and with proven facts. Try to understand the motives behind character defamation and other forms of "hate" literature. Are "hatemongers" and "smear-artists" seeking sensational publicity? For what reasons? Do they hate because they do not understand complex events? Are they deliberately trying to undermine our political system by defaming every man who holds the office of President, of Vice-President, of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, of Secretary of State, of Governor or Senator? Does their hatred of Negroes, Jews, Catholics, or any other racial or religious group cause them to "smear" anyone dedicated to tolerance?
Only we, the voters, can stop this shameful literature, by showing those who produce it that the effort is a waste of human resources.
Think, Judge Carefully, and VOTE On Nov. 3
Responsible Campaign Practices Committee of Lawrence ALDON BELL, Chairman