Last Sunday, June 1, was the 75th anniversary of a speech by Maine Senator Margaret Chase Smith on the US Senate floor, entitled a “Declaration of Conscience.” Odd is how easily we forget her meaning, even here in Maine. I interviewed her decades ago, and ponder it now.
In her speech, this elegant, eloquent Maine Senator spoke these words: “I would like to speak briefly and simply about a serious national condition. It is a national feeling of fear and frustration that could result in national suicide and the end of everything that we Americans hold dear.”
She continued: “It is a condition that comes from the lack of effective leadership in either the Legislative Branch or the Executive Branch of our Government. That leadership is so lacking that serious and responsible proposals are being made…” to change everything.
“I speak as briefly as possible because too much harm has already been done with irresponsible words of bitterness and selfish political opportunism. I speak as briefly as possible because the issue is too great to be obscured by eloquence. I speak simply and briefly in the hope that my words will be taken to heart.” They were, and should be again, especially by Mainers.
She was unabashed: “I speak as a Republican…I speak as an American.” What she did not say but could have is: “I speak as a Mainer.” She was one and felt the pull of conscience as a result.
The core of her message, arguably, was here: “I think that it is high time for the United States Senate and its members to do some soul-searching – for us to weigh our consciences – on the manner in which we are performing our duty to the people of America – on the manner in which we are using or abusing our individual powers and privileges.”
Here is the kernel of this great Maine Senator’s thinking in 1950: Those in positions of authority, in Maine or our Nation, are duty-bound to act with honor, not to put down fellow legislators, certainly not fellow Americans, in harm’s way by abusing their power, not to allow one-party rule to obscure truth, fairness, or fidelity to our Constitution.
Now think on that. We have had one-party government in Maine, veto or total control, for 30 of 32 years, no “Declaration of Conscience” from any Democrat member of Maine’s legislative majority, let alone the Governor, a soul without contrition for the carnage she has caused.
More, we see no sign of Margaret Chase Smith’s deep dive into what is right and wrong, in a time when this Democrat majority continues to violate due process, constitutional norms, and torments the legislative process, pushing a laundry list of new taxes on Maine’s struggling seniors, widening poor, and homeless young, to satisfy her appetite for yet more spending.
Where is the Democrat “Declaration of Conscience?” Nowhere to be found. The silence is deafening, and it stings average Mainers, who know what is right and what is wrong.
Now, more than three decades ago, I interviewed the Senator at her Skowhegan home. She was wise, quiet, elegant as usual, and kind. She was a model of leadership, ourselves at our best. I asked her about whether politics had become too mean. She felt it had, even three decades ago.
I asked if she had special thoughts on this and that, and she did. Most of all, she was that same high-integrity Maine leader she had always been, honest, open, and hopeful. The interview appeared in the local Kennebec Journal, but her spirit is still alive.
In a nutshell, her speech was Shakespearean: “To thine own self be true.” Democrats in Maine and many blue states have not been that for a long time. Her speech echoes.
Robert Charles is a former Assistant Secretary of State under Colin Powell, former Reagan and Bush 41 White House staffer, attorney, and naval intelligence officer (USNR). He wrote “Narcotics and Terrorism” (2003), “Eagles and Evergreens” (2018), and is National Spokesman for AMAC. Robert Charles has also just released an uplifting new book, “Cherish America: Stories of Courage, Character, and Kindness” (Tower Publishing, 2024).
This speech should be framed and hang in every office in every government building and recited aloud before every meeting and session , vote and any decision making event. Just as a reminder to do the sworn duty . What a great woman. What a spirit.
WOW, everyone should read this and think about it. Important!
Now we just have a bunch of bullies: Pelosi, Schumer, Waters, etc. etc.
A Declaration of Conscience –.Margaret Chase Smith did something admirable with that idea 75 years ago. Those qualities of strength, courage , wisdom and understanding the truth don’t get old. This bit of Maine history should be appreciated across the Nation. Just as a situation that would put a ship in jeopardy of sinking is wrong any way of thinking that goes against the principles of truth , respect for Liberty, should be identified and the danger needs to be corrected — quickly. Politically the acceptance of corruption is just plain un-American . Again , back to the ship safety comparison, responsible citizens need to be alert to hazardous conditions in order for the Ship of State to stay afloat. Good for the Margaret Chase Smith contribution to a noble way of thinking and doing things . Good work on this RBC. Much appreciated !
California leads the way with a one party majority and veto proof control. It’s astonishing that politicians have eliminated the checks and balances so needed in a successful government. By eliminating dialog and inserting agenda driven mandates, this majority rule is essentially mob rule.
Ms. Smith is a wise woman and she is correct about all that she stated. No where are there any politicians with a conscious, even among mankind. Every action is for power/money. Voters must open their minds and think, by getting knowledge from reading, to realize where America is going. And do people want to have China govern us? Many do not even know the meaning of Communism. Pathetic!
Do we have anyone in congress with her degree of knowledge and ability to articulate? Our education system sorely lacking.
why was my comment not posted??
excellent article. All true,however,the author a Bush Rino emphasized only the obvious flaws and misdeeds of the Democrats. Including a closer look at what the Bush adminsitration (as well as the continuity by the babysitters of W Bush ) did to destroy all Reagan accomplished in their self serving New World Order Globalist economy, no borders policies and the dismantle of the Middle East. .
I hope Mainers choose Robert Charles for political office — from which he can reach out to the majority of Mainers. The country needs a leader who will remind all of us to pay attention to that voice too often unheeded that signals us to choose right.