Aug. 28, 1964 - Lyndon B. Johnson accepted the Presidential nomination of the Democratic party last night with a pledge of “answers, not retreats” — “unity, not division” — “hope, not fear or smear.”
Answering time and again the challenges laid down by the Republicans and their nominee, Barry Goldwater, President Johnson told a roaring and happy crowd:
“We do offer the people a choice. A choice of continuing on the courageous and compassionate course that has made this nation the strongest and the freest and the most prosperous and the most peaceful nation in the history of mankind.”
He said: “Tonight we offer ourselves on our records and by our platform as a party for all Americans, an all-American party for all Americans!”
He asked for “a mandate to begin” on the task of building “a great society, a place where the meaning of man’s life matches the marvels of man’s labor.”
Mr. Johnson’s speech ended the 34th Democratic National Convention, which nominated him to run with Hubert Humphrey of Minnesota this fall. The convention adjourned shortly after midnight.
Before the acceptance speeches, the convention gave Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, the brother of President Kennedy, a tremendous ovation.
Mr. Kennedy introduced a memorial film to John F. Kennedy, the young leader nominated in 1960 and assassinated in 1963.
The convention also heard memorial tributes by Adlai Stevenson to Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt and by James A. Farley to Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn, both of whom died since the last Democratic National Convention.
Mr. Johnson came last on a lengthy program, after having sat in a special box with his wife and Mr. Kennedy to hear Mr. Humphrey give a vigorous and enthusiastically received acceptance speech.
When Mr. Johnson came to the rostrum he asked Speaker John W. McCormack of Massachusetts, the convention chairman, to cut short a booming demonstration by the 5,000 delegates and alternates. This apparently was a move to keep his speech within prime evening television time last night. He began speaking shortly before 11 p.m.
Mr. Johnson emphasized two primary themes in his acceptance speech.
One was the familiar call for national unity. The other was a defense of the record of the Democratic party and the Kennedy and Johnson Administrations against the charges of the Republicans and Senator Goldwater.
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