As a high school student, she became a skilled public speaker, winning a national debate contest in 1952. Of the impeachment process, it was Woodrow Wilson who said that "Nothing short of the grossest offenses against the plain law of the land will suffice to give them speed and effectiveness. Respectful and Reasoned are the words which best describes the tone of Barbara Jordan's speech. Whatever differs from this, to the extent of the difference, is no democracy. The purpose of Barbara Jordan's speech is to explain a problem with the wording of the Constitution. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. "So I said: 'Well, I'll just start with that. Fielding's office, after having met with Mr. Ehrlichman and Mr. Young. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). What is special? Watch Barbara Jordan's 1976 Democratic National Convention speech on YouTube: TOPICS: History TAGS: 2016 election , barbara jordan , democratic national convention , michelle obama Jordan declared she would not be an idle spectator to "the destruction of the Constitution" by Richard Nixon and his administration. Strike a balance. We the people. Its a very eloquent beginning. We believe that. C.A 14-year-old girl was surprised when she discovered that her mother had been posting photos of her on social media without her even knowing about it. We were further cautioned today that perhaps these proceedings ought to be delayed because certainly there would be new evidence forthcoming from the President of the United States. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Barbara-Jordan, BlackPast.org - Biography of Barbara Jordan, Barbara Jordan - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Barbara C. Jordan - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up), Barbara Jordan at the 1976 Democratic National Convention. They did not make the accusers and the judges the same person. Convert your audio or video into 99% accurate text by a professional. Now, we must look to the future. Indignation so great as to overgrow party interest may secure a conviction; but nothing else can.". The Bill of Rights Institute teaches civics. Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia, My faith in the Constitution is whole; it is complete; it is total., Notice of Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity. In 1976, are we to be one people bound together by common spirit, sharing in a common endeavor, or will we become a divided nation? Barbara Jordan marked history in a number of ways, using the power of her speech and the clarity of her mind to break down barriers of race and gender. We are a people in search of a national community. Well, I believe the answer to that question lies in our concept of governing. Transcripts & captions for a better media workflow. We need one branch to check the other.". It is designed to bridle the Executive if he engages in excesses. Figures of Speech and Thought Alliteration: Figure of emphasis that occurs through the repetition of initial consonant letters (or sounds) in two or more different words across successive sentences, clauses, or phrases. And I ask you that as you listen to these words of Abraham Lincoln relate them to the concept of a national community in which every last one of us participates. Has the President committed offenses, and planned, and directed, and acquiesced in a course of conduct which the Constitution will not tolerate? Jordan was an effective campaigner for the Democrats during the 1960 presidential election, and this experience propelled her into politics. At this point, I would like to juxtapose a few of the impeachment criteria with some of the actions the President has engaged in. Audience - Jordan's audience was like-minded democrats who saw Jimmy Carter as their hope for a new direction in American government. Barbara Jordan was the first African American woman elected to be as a Texas State Senator. Become a freelancer and work on your own terms. I have confidence that the Democratic Party can lead the way. This can be accomplished only by providing each citizen with every opportunity to participate in the management of the government. '"5 The next evening, when the camera focused on her, Jordan opened with an African American perspective on the Constitution, then quickly moved her rhetorical position to that of all "the people" covered by that document of protections and promises. Alternate titles: Barbara Charline Jordan. I have confidence that we can form this kind of national community. A government is invigorated when each one of us is willing to participate in shaping the future of this nation. We equip students and teachers to live the ideals of a free and just society. I think it no accident that most of those immigrating to America in the 19th century identified with the Democratic Party. We know the nature of impeachment. Thus option (A) is correct. Who can so properly be the inquisitors for the nation as the representatives of the nation themselves? More is required. What we have to do is strike a balance between the idea that government should do everything and the idea, the belief, that government ought to do nothing. No one need be afraid, the Northwest Carolina Ratification Convention, No one need to be afraid that officers who commit oppression will pass with immunity. Prosecution of impeachments will seldom fail to agitate the passions of the whole community, said Hamilton in the Federalist papers number 65, We divided the part is more or less friendly or inimical to the accused. The Constitution charges the President with the task of taking care that the laws be faithfully executed, and yet the President has counseled his aides to commit perjury, willfully disregard the secrecy of grand jury proceedings, conceal surreptitious entry, attempt to compromise a federal judge, while publicly displaying his cooperation with the processes of criminal justice. Industry-leading accurate legal transcription to ensure you dont miss a statement. This we must do as individuals. And immediately thereafter met with the very persons who were implicated in the information Mr. Peterson was receiving. Section 107, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Speech-to-Text live streaming for live captions, powered by the worlds leading speech recognition API. In this election year, we must define the common good and begin again to shape a common future. It's a very eloquent beginning. Barbara Jordan remarks on impeachment during Watergate. The purpose of Barbara Jordans speech is to explain a problem with the wording of the Constitution. Barbara Jordan: (00:17) It is chiefly designed for the President and his high ministers to somehow be called into account. Explore our upcoming webinars, events and programs. And when the people raised their voices, we didnt hear. Mr. Chairman, I join my colleague, Mr. Wrangell, in thanking you for giving the junior members of this committee the glorious opportunity of sharing the pain of this inquiry. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. , ditional film and typically kept more personal shots, like baby pictures, in photo albums that usually remained on a shelf.B. Franics X. Clines, "Barbara Jordan Dies at 59; Her Voice Stirred the Nation," Well, I am going to close my speech by quoting a Republican president. When Barbara Jordan was born in Houston . According to Jordan, how did President Nixon subvert the Constitution? And again, if we make mistakes, we must be willing to admit them. Easily integrate Rev using our robust APIs to start building your product quickly. The powers relating to impeachment are an essential check in the hands of the body, the Legislature, against and upon the encroachments of the Executive. This is the question which must be answered. We know about the break-in of the psychiatrist's office. And during that time, it would have been most unusual for any national political party to ask a Barbara Jordan to deliver a keynote address. Use this primary source text to explore key historical events. On July 25, 1974, Jordan delivered an inspiring speech to the House Judiciary Committee, on national television, calling for an impeachment trial of then-president Richard Nixon for his involvement in the Watergate scandal. It limited impeachment to high crimes and misdemeanors and discounted and opposed the term maladministration. What was the purpose of Barbara Jordans speech? Barbara Jordan: (11:17) On July 25, 1974, Barbara Jordan delivered a speech on Impeachment. Fair use is permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. According to Jordan, why did a member of Congress not need to be convinced that the president should be removed from office in order to vote for impeachment? We know about the Houston plan. Omissions? Her own legislative work focused on the environment, antidiscrimination clauses in state business contracts, and urban legislation, the last being a political challenge in a state dominated by rural interests. A lot of years passed since 1832. In her speech, she mentions that though the Constitution laid by Washington and Hamilton included the phrase "We, the people", they forget to include her. . The division between the two branches of the Legislature, the House and the Senate, assigning to the one the right to accuse and to the other the right to judge. "It is to be used only for great misdemeanors," so it was said in the North Carolina ratification convention. Ann Richards and also was chairman for the U.S. Commission on Immigration Reform. Barbara Jordan: (00:41) Barbara Jordan served in the U.S. House of Representatives from the 18th district of Texas between 1973 and 1979. A RESTful API to access Revs workforce of fast, high quality transcriptionists and captioners. They did not make the accusers and the judgersand the judges the same person. "Protect their rights." A. to explain a problem with the wording of the Constitution B. to show that Congress was at work C. to explain the reason for an inquiry D. to thank members of the committee for being allowed to speak 1 See answer Advertisement Advertisement Jordan was so moved by Thurman's Sunday sermons she would preach them again to her dormitory roommates.3. In the House, Jordan advocated legislation to improve the lives of minorities, the poor, and the disenfranchised and sponsored bills that expanded workers compensation and strengthened the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to cover Mexican Americans in the Southwest. Now, I began this speech by commenting to you on the uniqueness of a Barbara Jordan making a keynote address. We are a people in search of our future. In some cases, such as the United States, the constitution is a specific written document. . Before the invention of social media apps, parents could not engage in sharenting and, therefore, did not have the opportunity to globally embarrass their children.C.A 14-year-old girl was surprised when she discovered that her mother had been posting photos of her on social media without her even knowing about it.D.Parents with an abundance of pride in their kids often post their children's photos on social media even though such postings can cause their children great embarrassment.l tmi, What is this Article mainly about? May 2013. We were further cautioned today that perhaps these proceedings ought to be delayed because certainly there would be new evidence forthcoming from the President of the United States. Barbara Jordan: (03:55) Under Title 17 U.S.C. It contains rules about what power is wielded, who wields it and over whom it is wielded in the governing of a country. The Portal to Texas History, June 23, 2015. "Rescue their liberties from violation. Its the news, without the news. "We divide into parties more or less friendly or inimical to the accused." We should now forthwith proceed to answer the question. Barbara Jordan: (04:13) The stance Jordan takes in the passage is best described as that of A) an idealist setting forth principles. In a perfect storm of unlikely circumstances, Barbara Jordan, a junior congresswoman from Houston, Texas, who grew up in segregation, landed a primetime spot to deliver an opening statement on. Apart from being an advocate she was also very much involved in politics and was a head of Civil Rights Movement. "It is chiefly designed for the president and his high ministers" to somehow be called into account. And that's what we're talking about. At this point, I would like to juxtapose a few of the impeachment criteria with some of the actions the President has engaged in. Obstacles emanating from race, sex, economic condition. We know about the Huston plan. 1. The drawing of political lines goes to the motivation behind impeachment; but impeachment must proceed within the confines of the constitutional term "high crime[s] and misdemeanors." We cannot improve on the system of government handed down to us by the founders of the Republic. In 1962 and 1964 she was an unsuccessful candidate for the Texas House of Representatives, but she was elected in 1966 to the Texas Senate, the first African American member since 1883 and the first woman ever elected to that legislative body. Achieving National Stature. What that recital of the evidence this morning did not include is what the President did know on June the 23rd, 1972. People want more. Why do you think Representative Jordan juxtaposed impeachment criteria with Nixons actions? ", We have heard time and time again that the evidence reflects the payment to defendants money. They have often turned to the Democratic Party. We know the nature of impeachment. "A President is impeachable if he attempts to subvert the Constitution.". Indignation so great as to overgrow party interest may secure a conviction; but nothing else can., Impeachment criteria: James Madison, from the Virginia. On the national scene, Jordan's defining moment came in 1974 when she earned a spot on the House committee considering impeachment charges against President Richard Nixon. who gave a speech at career day at Jordan's high school. Copyright 2023. Barbara Jordan: (00:01) It is chiefly designed for the President and his high ministers to somehow be called into account. Her statement appears below: "The reaction from the other committee members was: 'You must be out of your head.' And I feel that notwithstanding the past, that my presence here is one additional bit of evidence that the American Dream need not forever be deferred. Barbara Jordan: (09:21) The division between the two branches of the legislature, the House and the Senate, assigning to the one the right to accuse and to the other the right to judge, the framers of this Constitution were very astute. And yet the president has counseled his age to commit perjury, willfully disregard the secrecy of grand jury proceedings, concealed surreptitious entry, attempt to compromise a federal judge, while publicly displaying his cooperation with the processes of criminal justice. The committee subpoena is outstanding, and if the President wants to supply that material, the committee sits here. In She passed the Massachusetts bar exam but moved to Tuskegee Institute (later renamed Tuskegee University) in Alabama and taught there for one year before returning to Texas and gaining admittance to the bar there. It takes a lot of energy, dedication and bullet-proofing yourself to be: That's the question. There is no law that can require the American people to form a national community. There is no executive order. 5. Barbara Jordan: (06:04) Today I am an inquisitor. I yield back the balance of my time, Mr. Chairman. What the President did know on the 23rd of June was the prior activities of E. Howard Hunt, which included his participation in the break-in of Daniel Ellsberg's psychiatrist, which included Howard Hunt's participation in the Dita Beard ITT affair, which included Howard Hunt's fabrication of cables designed to discredit the Kennedy Administration. Jordan remained in the Texas Senate until 1972, when she was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Texass 18th district. The words are: "If the President is connected in any suspicious manner with any person and there be grounds to believe that he will shelter that person, he may be impeached. But when that document was completed, on the seventeenth of September in 1787, I was not included in that "We, the people." The constitution doesnt say that. How did that demonstrate its significance? Mr. Chairman, you are a strong man, and it has not been easy but we have tried as best we can to give you as much assistance as possible. It's a very eloquent beginning. Barbara Jordan, 10/18/1976. Barbara Jordan: (05:27) . As one of the first African Americans elected from the Deep South since 1898 and the first Black Congresswoman ever from that region, Jordan lent added weight to her message by her very presence on the House . We know that the President met with Mr. Henry Petersen twenty-seven times to discuss matters related to Watergate and immediately thereafter met with the very persons who were implicated in the information Mr. Petersen was receiving. It is reason, and not passion, which must guide our deliberations, guide our debate, and guide our decision. Purpose - As the keynote speaker for the DNC, Jordan's purpose was, to some degree, the same purpose of all convention keynote speakers -- to rally support behind the democratic candidate for presidency . Barbara Jordan: (15:27) So today were not being petty. , ept more personal shots, like baby pictures, in photo albums that usually remained on a shelf.B. What stood out about Jordan's speech was how she used the Constitution to support her claim for articles of impeachment against Nixon, as opposed to making it a partisan affair. And if the President wants to supply that material, the committee sits here. This site is using cookies under cookie policy . If that happens, who then will speak for America? I could list the problems which cause people to feel cynical, angry, frustrated. Barbara Jordan: (03:02) Section 107, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Barbara Jordan: (02:11) The most accurate AI-powered transcription on the market. They are indigenous to the American idea. We are a heterogeneous party made up of Americans of diverse backgrounds. Barbara Jordan: (09:55) We are trying to be big, because the task we have before us is a big one. . Barbara Jordan: (10:11) Excerpts taken from a copy of arguably the most famous and important speech of Barbara Jordan's career. Calculate how much it costs to transcribe, caption, or subtitle your content. Let there be no illusions about the difficulty of forming this kind of a national community. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. "It is designed as a method of national inquest into the conduct of public men." Barbara Jordan to the House Judiciary Committee (video, audio, and transcript) http://watergate.info/1974/07/25/barbara-jordan-speech-on-impeachment.html, Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. 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