Aug. 5, 1964 - President Johnson (pictured today in Syracuse) warned the nations of the Communist world today not to support or widen aggression in Southeast Asia or to assume that in this election year the United States was divided.
In grave, measured tones, the President said:
“To any who may be tempted to support or to widen the present aggression, I say this: There is not threat to any peaceful power from the United States of America. But there can be no peace by aggression, and no immunity from reply. And that is what is meant by the actions that we took yesterday.”
The words rang out over the green, rolling campus of Syracuse University, where the President dedicated the first building of the Samuel I. Newhouse Communications Center.
A standing audience of many thousands replied with applause after nearly every sentence of the President’s warning and his remarks about domestic politics.
To allies and adversaries alike, the President addressed his closing words:
“Let no friend needlessly fear, and no foe vainly hope, that this is a nation divided in this election year. Our free elections — our full and free debate — are America’s strength, not America’s weakness.”
This declaration of domestic unity was dramatized on the spot by Governor Nelson Rockefeller. When the President finished speaking, the Republican Governor of New York stepped up and shook his hand.
Last night, as he prepared to broadcast to the nation about Washington’s retaliation against North Vietnam, the President received another message of support — from the Republican Presidential candidate, Senator Barry Goldwater.
By stressing these assurances, the President apparently seeks to fend off one of the opposition’s campaign weapons. Republicans have criticized the Johnson Administration’s foreign policy in general and its Southeast Asian policy in particular.
Senator Goldwater has called it a “no win” policy lacking in militancy.
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