Alfred E. Smith Dinner

Charles H. Silver hosts the 23rd Alfred E. Smith dinner honoring Governor Alfred E. Smith and the late Cardinal Francis Joseph Spellman.

Mr. Silver introduces Mayor John V. Lindsay, who welcomes dignitaries and eulogizes Cardinal Spellman.

Governor Nelson Rockefeller speaks.

New York Archbishop Terence J. Cooke thanks many attending dignitaries, and quotes passages from Cardinal Spellman's book _What America Means to Me_.

Republican candidate Richard Nixon notes this is the first time the dinner hosts a current US president and vice president, as well as three former vice presidents, and calls Johnson the hardest working president of this century. Mr. Nixon emphasizes the similarities between him and Democratic candidate Humphrey.

Democratic candidate Hubert H. Humphrey essentially makes a campaign speech, mostly joking about politics and the campaign.

James Farley, a friend of both honorees, recalls anecdotes involving Smith and Spellman.

President Lyndon B. Johnson starts his speech on a humorous note, joking that today may be "Armistice Day," due to the array of political views represented on the dais, and commenting he feels like he is "surrounded by Indians." He then lists the "secret thoughts" of those at the head table, including Nixon and Humphrey, as well as Senator Joseph McCarthy.



Edited program.

Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection

WNYC archives id: 151674
Municipal archives id: T4309