Exactly one hundred years ago, in the political campaign of 1856, a new element was introduced into American politics – a secret party – secret because its members were instructed to reply, whenever they were asked about the party's policies, "I know nothing." But the objectives of the Know-Nothing Party, as it was called, were not secret – it was an anti-Catholic, anti-Jewish, anti-immigrant organization. It was the party of bigotry and intolerance of the American people. The Democratic Party, I am proud to say, met that challenge head-on – declaring in its convention platform its unending opposition to secret parties and religious and national intolerance, as not "in unison with the spirit of enlightened freedom which distinguishes the American system of popular government."
Tonight, one hundred years later, the Democrats of Massachusetts of all races, creeds, and national origins are proud to play host to a man who symbolizes for all America the victories over know-nothingism that have been scored in the past century. The Ribicoff home in New Britain, Connecticut, into which our speaker was born some 46 years ago, was a poor Jewish home, without political influence, without economic security. From his boyhood on, young Abe Ribicoff worked – as a newsboy, an errand boy, a store clerk and a road construction worker; later as a manufacturer's representative while attending the University of Chicago; and finally as a lawyer in Hartford.
For 18 years he has served his state faithfully and well – as a State Legislator who was voted ablest of all by Hartford newsmen; as a Judge whose ability earned him appointment under Republican as well as Democratic Governors of Connecticut; as a Member of the House of Representatives, where I became personally acquainted with his conscientious and courageous devotion to duty and principle; and finally and currently, as a distinguished Governor of our sister state, where he has won national acclaim for his sparkling and dynamic efforts to meet the problem of floods, depressed areas, and Republicans.
I was delighted to ask my good friend Abe Ribicoff to be your keynote speaker tonight – for he is one who has carried the Democratic banner fearlessly and loyally in election after election – and kept it spotless.
So welcome to Massachusetts, Mr. Ribicoff – a Democratic state with a Democratic heart – a state that in the past year or so has offered the party more state chairmen and more John F. Kennedys than anyone else in the nation. I trust you won't be alarmed by these apparent divisions – for you know they are a traditional sigh of Democratic strength. Here's how Will Rogers described the Democratic Convention before the sweep in 1932:
"They fought, they fit, they split, and adjourned in a dandy wave of dissension. That's the old Democratic spirit. A whole day wasted and nothing done. I tell you they're getting back to normal."
And here's what Finley Peter Dunne's Mr. Dooley said about the party fifty years ago:
"The Democratic Party ain't on speaking terms with itself. When you see two men with white neckties set in opposite corners while one mutters 'traitor' and the other hisses 'miscreant, ye can bet they're two Democratic leaders trying to reunite the party. There's as many Demmycrats out of the party as there are in, settin' on the doorstep to read themselves back and the other readers out. The loudest readers wins."
So don't worry about Massachusetts, Governor Ribicoff. For in the words of Adlai Stevenson:
"We are Americans first, last and always. May the day never come when the things that divide us seem more important than the things that unite us."
Source: Papers of John F. Kennedy. Pre-Presidential Papers. Senate Files, Box 895, "Introduction of Governor Abraham Ribicoff, Worcester, Massachusetts, 8 June 1956." John F. Kennedy Presidential Library.