caitlin

The Silent Majority Caitlin and Emilee


 * Directions:** This is your space to develop your profile of your individual. You should have a one or two paragraph introduction which includes basic background information (this is the equivalent to the biography that you did last year for Ms. Pigman). Do NOT include everything about your individual. The goal of this paragraph is to provide the necessary context so that your classmates can better understand the perspective of the Silent Majority on the events of 1968. Your profile should communicate the Silent Majority''s vision for the future of the United States in the world. Feel free to be as creative as possible with this space.

EMILEE

Lillian Anna Hackett Lawrence was born on 16 March 1939 in Westchester, New York. Her father was a World War I veteran, and her mother was a homemaker. She grew up in a very traditional family, and she always wished the same for her own family. She married Thomas Lawrence on 13 March 1959. She gave birth to a baby girl, Mary Catherine Lawrence, on 16 February 1964. The day she gave birth to her only child was the first Sunday mass she has ever missed in her entire life. She now resides in Forest Hills, New Jersey. In 1961 her husband enlisted in the United States Navy for a five-year term. After completing this term, he enlisted again for another four-year term. Lillian was a devout conservative, believing in all that Conservatism stands for. She supported United States involvement in Vietnam. She believed in “small”, yet active government and thought that the Supreme Court needed to prioritize their concerns. As a part of what Richard Nixon called the “Silent Majority”, Lillian neither protested nor participated in demonstrations. That is, until Richard Nixon evoked this “forgotten group”. She voted Republican, for Richard Nixon, in the 1968 President election. From that election on, Lillian voted Republican. June 2, 1962 My Loving Husband, It seems as though our daughter, Mary, grows every day! It feels like it was only yesterday she was born. She is the most beautiful child I have ever laid my eyes on! She used to constantly ask where her father was, and I would have to explain to her that her father has an obligation and duty to our country to fight in Vietnam. She is now beginning to understand. A major Supreme Court ruling was made yesterday, as I’m sure you’ve heard. In the case of //Engle v. Vitale//, the Supreme Court ruled that prayer in school is unconstitutional. As soon I heard of this outrageous decision, I quickly became pale thinking of what will become of students without daily prayer in school. The New York School Board was not attempting to put one religion before another, and the nondenominational prayer did not promote one religion over another. It is just crazy to think that the Supreme Court is allowed make this ruling! I think you, along with many others, will agree with me when I say that the Supreme Court is gaining too much power. It should the state’s decision, not the Supreme Court’s! I always thought and hoped that when our Mary enters elementary school, she would start the day off with a prayer. I cannot imagine what will come of students without this prayer. Next thing we know, they will be missing Sunday mass! It is just simply appalling. On a lighter note, I hope you and all other soldiers are doing well. We all miss you.

Your wife, Lillian February 16, 1967 Dear Thomas, Three years ago today our precious little girl, Mary, was born. Then one month after her second birthday, you so heroically enlisted yourself into the United States Navy, for the second time, after finishing your first term. Mary and I surely loved having you home for the short 5 months you were here. But you are a hero in my eyes for enlisting in the Navy for a second term. In the months since you left, riots have broken out all over the country. I have serious doubts about the future of our beloved country, and I will confide my doubts in you. I am scared for the future of our baby girl and the country she will grow up in. Riots are erupting right and left. A riot recently broke out in Newark, which resulted in the death of 23 people and the arrest of 1500. These riots are despicable and totally out of control! To think that Newark is so close to our adored home is absolutely frightening! African Americans have achieved what they advocated for and have attained equality, but they won’t stop there! Their goals are totally and completely unrealistic, not to mention their violent tactics are diverting the police forces’ power. As the 1968 presidential election nears, I pray every night that a Republican will run who can ensure the prosperity of our great nation. I also pray for your safety and the safety of all brave men fighting and risking their lives in Vietnam. P.S. I’m pregnant again!!

Much love, Lillian

October 26, 1968 My dearest Thomas,

I hope you, along with all other U.S. soldiers, continue to successfully fight Vietnamese troops. The last thing our country needs is another nation plagued by the beliefs that are Communism. There are domestic problems brewing everyday here in New Jersey and in the United States. Oh! If only you were here to witness these new “anti-war” demonstrations. You would just about drop down dead! The newest trend for these “new age” students is to stand in streets holding signs saying “Stop the war now!” They yell and scream so loudly I can just about hear the protests in New York City. What are they teaching in schools these days! I saw Mrs. Walsh, who lives two doors down, while I was watering the plants the other day. Her son enlisted last month and is in the 6th battalion in North Vietnam. She then told me that her daughter, Eloise, who studies at Georgetown, has come home for a while. Her mother raised her well and she didn’t take part in the demonstrations. All of her friends joined and made signs, which scared the little girl. Mrs. Walsh sent a car for Eloise and now she is safe and sound in Forest Hill. Poor child! Why should she have to witness these demonstrations! I think that we can both agree that United States occupation in Vietnam is best for both countries. Seeing these events unfold makes me want to go out and protest in favor of my beliefs! I can’t imagine what will happen to our nation if these anti-war demonstrations continually gain support. The Presidential elections are next week, and I will surely be one of the first in line to cast my vote. I am very confident in voting for Richard Nixon for President of the United States, as I have wholly entrusted my faith in his abilities. I am sure that he can protect the posterity of our nation.

Love, Lillian

_ Caitlin McClelland Silent Majority

Stafford Tanton IV was born in Hartford, Connecticut on January 21, 1947. As a child and adolescent he attended Exeter Boarding School and went onto Yale University to major in Political Science. He and his parents were of the upper middle class or lower upper class and supported Nixon. They were of a group known as the Silent Majority. The Silent Majority supported key issues such as the war in Vietnam and the return to a small, more central government. The Silent Majority was also known as the “forgotten group” who Nixon rallied to benefit his campaign. Stafford wanted to work for Nixon as a campaign manager for the Connecticut region since his family was of great stature there. In his main letter to Nixon, in which he tried to persuade Nixon to allow him to join the campaign, Stafford writes of his inner most feelings on the key issues that Nixon supports.

Dear Mr. Nixon, In this crazy time, it seems that you sir, are the only sane leader. You understand that justice needs to be served in this country and you have the willpower, intelligence, and courage to pursue these issues. I agree without that government must work in unity and that change needs to be made at the legislative level, not by 9 people who aren’t even elected to their positions, but rather appointed. The war in Vietnam is crucial to the protection of US democracy. Student groups such as the Students for Democratic Society claim to know the right path to take, but as you well know, they are just a bunch of undereducated children who have been tainted by the LSD movement. They are radicals who want to fight for a cause and see Vietnam as a cause worth fighting for because they are the beneficiaries of unrivaled numbers of scholarships and grants. They have never had to work for anything and do not understand the value of goods. If they cannot understand the value of something so grand as the United States, which they obviously cannot, then they should not voice their opinions of the war. As drugs and free life spread across the United States, I cannot help but fear for my future. How can a person think to the future without principle to help guide their thoughts. The people who take these drugs and do whatever they please because they have no principles are the people who scare me the most Free love and bright colors may be fun for them, but what does it have to show for. Are they well educated? Do they have goals that they wish to achieve? They are just irresponsible children running around because they have not been pointed in the right direction. You are the man to point everyone who has been led astray in the right direction. I ask that you let me help you in achieving the position to lead everyone. I would like to work as your campaign manager for the area of Connecticut. My family has old ties in the area and I would be able to connect you to some of the wealthiest families in the area who agree entirely with me and would love to financially support you. In this time of crisis, we need a leader like you, someone who is brave enough take on the challenge. Please select me to be your campaign leader for Connecticut. I will also be mailing my campaign flyers that I have already begun to sketch for you. Yours truly, Stafford Tanton IV