Remedial history

Regarding the April 10 letter “History lesson for Democrats,” here’s a lesson in reply:

The 1964 Civil Rights Bill did pass with the numbers stated. The liberal and moderate Democrats and Republicans (Oh, where have these good people gone?) voted yes. The conservative Republicans and conservative Democrats voted no. These Dixiecrats, leaders of the filibuster to stop the bill, are now known as southern Republicans.

President Johnson, who had been the most powerful Senate majority leader ever, was pivotal to civil rights passage. He refused to weaken the bill in any way. Sen. Everett Dirksen had openly threatened the bill. Johnson put pressure on Dirksen and other opponents.

Johnson’s great abilities to negotiate were employed with many promises to seal the deal. Examples: Johnson promised a water project for Arizona and a farm deal for the Midwest Republicans. He told Dirksen that he didn’t want the 1964 Civil Rights Bill to be a Democratic bill but an American bill.

The Republicans no longer have those great liberals and moderates that are willing to bargain. Only the party of “no” now exists.

Note: Goldwater voted no. His lawyers, William Rehnquist and Robert Bork, advised him that the bill was unconstitutional.

Nancy Faix

Othello, Wash.