Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Kennedy, Robert Francis (1925-1968) to Mr. John F. Bayliss

Order a pdf of this item here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09525 Author/Creator: Kennedy, Robert Francis (1925-1968) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Typed letter signed Date: 15 September 1967 Pagination: 1 p. ; 27.2 x 20.3 Order a Copy

One letter from Senator Robert Francis Kennedy to John F. Bayliss dated September 15, 1967. Kennedy writes that he believes the United States had to provide the resources to American soldiers in Vietnam as well as support the democratic rights of the South Vietnamese people. He also expressed his conviction that there could be no simple answers to the complex problems facing the nation. "The strength and honor of our country permits and requires us to be forthright - and the complexity of our problems precludes simple answers. . . . The people of our country have a right to expect not easy answers but candid evaluation of our conduct and our position in the world."

John F. Bayliss was a member of the English Department at Indiana State University and founder and editor of the African American Review.
On May 15, 1967, CBS aired a segment of "Town Meeting of the World: The Image of America and the Youth of the World," Senator Robert F. Kennedy of New York and Governor Ronald Reagan of California answered questions posed by the moderator, Charles Collingwood; students from the United States; and international students in Great Britain (via satellite). Questions focused primarily on the America's involvement in Vietnam. After the broadcast, John F. Bayliss, wrote to Senator Kennedy asking for clarification statements Kennedy had made during the broadcast.

Bayliss, John F., fl. 1967
Kennedy, Robert Francis, 1925-1968

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources