ÁÔÆæÖØ¿Ú

“But democracy––as we know it, love it, and understand it––is today facing challenge as to its very existence. This challenge must be met, met by all who believe in its fundamental processes and who love the liberties and responsibilities of a democracy. It is dangerous in this world of today to take democracy for granted. It is up to us, all of us, to take cognizance of the dangers affecting our system and to clarify our thinking as to our responsibilities. Only as long as we have democracy in our daily lives will we continue to have democracy in our government.” 

Mansfield, Mike 1903-2001, "Democracy and Peace" (1939). Mike Mansfield Speeches, Statements and Interviews. 1324. 
 

“One of the best ways for us to maintain democracy in this country of ours and to preserve its future is through education.” 

“Democracy was not an easy thing to achieve. It will not be an easy thing to maintain.” 

“On what does the future of democracy depend? First, it depends on peace, so that progress and prosperity in our country may go forward uninterruptedly, so that our income may be spend for the advance of civilization and not for its destruction, so that every man, woman, and child in America will have sufficient food, proper shelter, decent clothing, a good education, and a decent amount of leisure.” 

Mansfield, Mike 1903-2001, "The Future of Democracy" (1940). Mike Mansfield Speeches, Statements and Interviews. 1619. 
 

“To me the preservation of our country and our democracy are of paramount importance and I feel that we are now engaged in a life and death struggle––a struggle for existence.” 

Mansfield, Mike 1903-2001, "Filing for Congressional Seat" (1942). Mike Mansfield Speeches, Statements and Interviews. 1. 
 

“Can we look at our nation today and know that we are willing to face the issues? Are we able to look a fact in the face and recognize it as a fact? Or do we look at facts and call them fancies because we aren't willing to face them?” 

Mansfield, Mike 1903-2001, "Your Heritage of Freedom" (1957). Mike Mansfield Speeches, Statements and Interviews. 237.  

“This nation is constantly changing. What we call the United States at this moment is not an abstraction. It is the product of the lives of all the individuals who have composed the nation since the beginning.”

“The task for the nation and that means all of us, then, is to seek always to enlarge our understanding of the world around us.” 

Mansfield, Mike 1903-2001, "The Nation's Future in the World (Billings)" (1957). Mike Mansfield Speeches, Statements and Interviews. 229.  

“These domestic difficulties have an international meaning because foreign policy is not unrelated to other aspects of our national life. It is not a thing apart. If we sink at home, sooner or later we shall sink abroad. If the Union is strong, cohesive and dynamic, there is at least a chance that foreign policy will be able to safeguard the nation’s security, to advance the welfare of our people and to further the hope of peace. If the Union is weak, divided and fearful, foreign policy can do little to uphold our position as a nation among many nations. In short, to the extent that we face the difficulties within our borders and deal with them, we shall be able to act on the much more complex difficulties that beset us abroad.” 

Mansfield, Mike 1903-2001, "The Needs of the Hour" (1958). Mike Mansfield Speeches, Statements and Interviews. 272. 
  

“Partnership requires forbearance, compassion, understanding and accommodation. It is not an easy approach to foreign policy. If it succeeds, however, it can produce a united strength which will make each free nation impervious both to the blustering threats and the glittering allures of totalitarianism. Most of all it will provide an international environment in which individuals in this country and elsewhere will have an opportunity to develop and to prosper in peace.” 

Mansfield, Mike 1903-2001, "Pressures, Politics, Partnership" (1955). Mike Mansfield Speeches, Statements and Interviews. 157. 
 

“I prefer the term responsible opposition to bipartisanship. The word bipartisan has been abused almost beyond recognition.”

“Responsible opposition in foreign relations, as I see it, means simply exercising the restraints of good citizenship in matters which affect the nation’s vital interests when we deal with other nations. It means avoiding the temptation to seek political capital out of difficulties in foreign relations.”

Mansfield, Mike 1903-2001, "Democratic Party and Foreign Policy" (1955). Mike Mansfield Speeches, Statements and Interviews. 171.  

“Nevertheless, my ten years in Butte as a mucker, miner, and sampler were ten years well spent and despite the heat, the copper water, and the copper dust, Butte still holds the number one place in my heart. It was in the mines that I received my real practical education, and it was from the miners that I derived my philosophy of life––to do unto others as you would have done unto you. That’s the decent thing to do, and that’s the spirit of democracy.” 

Mansfield, Mike 1903-2001, "Labor Day Speech in Butte, ÁÔÆæÖØ¿Ú" (1939). Mike Mansfield Speeches, Statements and Interviews. 12. 
 

“Tomorrow, friends, you go to the polls to elect a congressman. Exercise your privilege of voting and speak out for democracy. Ballots are bullets these days and through them you make your wishes known. If you vote for me, I hope it is because you know that Mike Mansfield will attend to his state and his nation’s business. I promise to do my honest best. No one can do more; no one should try to do less.” 

Mansfield, Mike 1903-2001, "Campaign Speech" (1942). Mike Mansfield Speeches, Statements and Interviews. 1328. 
 

“Educators and legislators, in short, go together. They have a mutual concern both in the caliber of tomorrow's citizens and in the kind of nation and world in which they live.” 

Mansfield, Mike 1903-2001, "Education and Foreign Relations" (1957). Mike Mansfield Speeches, Statements and Interviews. 256.