Dear
Governor Craig:1 The question you raise in your letter of the nineteenth is one to which I have devoted many hours of thoughtful consideration. As you know I have often stated my views as to acceptable, or American, procedures in investigation. I have spoken out against unfairness and accusations made from behind a cloak of immunity.2
Many of my good friends and associates in government apparently agree with you and a large segment of the American people, that I should, as you put it, "discipline the recalcitrants."3 Yet to attempt this, publicly, could react adversely on the legislative program, for the American people don't seem to like "purges." In addition, it would be in direct violation of a principle to which I have adhered all my adult life.
To explain the development of this, to me, fundamental rule, I have to go back to war experiences and certain lessons I learned throughout those years. Of these, the first and foremost is that the support and teaching of a constructive program or policy is a long-term thing. Moreover, it is seldom, if ever, that a worthwhile conception can be advanced by indulging in hateful or hypercritical remarks concerning some other individual. Out of those experiences, I developed a practice which, so far as I know, I have never violated. That practice is to avoid public mention of any name unless it can be done with favorable intent and connotation. This, of course, means that whatever criticism is necessary must be done in the private conference.4
What I am trying to say to you is that I would not have you believe that I have acquiesced in or by any means approve, the methods of which you rightly disapprove! I despise them. Nevertheless, I think that were I to stand up in public and label him with derogatory titles, I would make a serious error. I still feel that such an attempt would advertise him still more. It would make the Presidency ridiculous and so, in the long run, make the citizens of our country very unhappy indeed.
At the same time, I assure you that I have not made and shall not make any effort to appease, or to `win over.'
On the positive side, I feel that there is a dawning realization that the Republican Party has to get itself squared away in the public mind. I hope soon to make a talk to help this idea along. The Republican Party has got for once and for all to make up its mind whether to follow the ludicrous partnership of the Old Guarders and the McCarthyites (one of my friends has called it a "marriage of convenience"), or whether it is going to stand behind the program of the Administration and the middle-of-the-road philosophy in which we firmly believe. I have done, and continue to do, everything in my power, both as President and as titular leader of the Republican Party, to urge adherence to that middle-of-the-road philosophy and to the program we have advanced. In that effort I need the help of leaders such as yourself.5
I hope sometime we can talk this whole matter over.
With warm regard, Sincerely
P.S. Charlie Halleck has really performed!6
