1:06:01
His proposition is very simple:
1:06:03
...anyone who criticizes or opposes
Senator McCarthy's methods...
1:06:06
...must be a Communist.
1:06:08
And if that be true, there are
an awful lot of Communists in the USA.
1:06:12
For the record, let's consider briefly
some of the Senator's charges.
1:06:16
He claimed, but offered no proof...
1:06:18
...that I had been a member of the
Industrial Workers of the World.
1:06:21
That is false.
1:06:23
I was never a member ofthe IWW,
never applied for membership.
1:06:28
The Senator charged
that Professor Harold Laski...
1:06:30
...a British scholar and politician,
dedicated a book to me.
1:06:33
That's true.
1:06:35
He is dead.
He was a socialist, I am not.
1:06:39
He was a civilized individual...
1:06:41
...who did not insist upon agreement
with his political principles...
1:06:44
...as a pre-condition
for conversation or friendship.
1:06:47
I do not agree
with his political ideas.
1:06:50
I ask, as he makes clear
in the introduction...
1:06:53
...dedicated the book to me,
not because of political agreement...
1:06:56
...but because he held my wartime
broadcast from London in high regard.
1:07:00
And the dedication so reads.
1:07:03
I believed 20 years ago
and I believe today...
1:07:06
...that mature Americans can engage
in conversation and controversy...
1:07:10
...the clash of ideas, with Communists
anywhere in the world...
1:07:13
...without becoming
contaminated or converted.
1:07:16
I believe that our faith,
our conviction...
1:07:19
...our determination
are stronger than theirs...
1:07:22
...and that we can successfully compete,
not only in the area of bombs...
1:07:26
...but in the area of ideas.
1:07:30
I have worked with CBS
for more than 19 years.
1:07:33
The company has subscribed fully
to my integrity and responsibility...
1:07:37
...as a broadcaster
and as a loyal American.
1:07:40
I require no lectures from the junior
Senator from Wisconsin...
1:07:43
...as to the dangers
or terrors of Communism.
1:07:47
Having searched my conscience
and my files...
1:07:49
...I cannot contend that
I have always been right or wise...
1:07:52
...but I have attempted to pursue
thet ruth with diligence...
1:07:55
...and to report it...
1:07:56
...even though, as in this case,
I had been warned in advance...
1:07:59
...that I would be subjected
to the attentions of Senator McCarthy.