To Nelson A. Rockefeller
Author: King, Martin Luther, Jr.
Date: August 9, 1961
Location: Atlanta, Ga.?
Genre: Letter
Topic: Martin Luther King, Jr. - Travels
Details
Following a series of speaking engagements in Albany, New York, King thanks Rockefeller for his “genuine humanitarian concern” and “unswerving devotion” to justice.1 Rockefeller replied on 22 August 1961, writing that “the importance of your work to make the American dream come true for all our citizens demands that all who truly share in that dream shall do everything possible to assist you.”
The Honorable Nelson A. Rockefeller
State Capitol
Albany, New York
Dear Governor Rockefeller:
So many things have happened since I spent the very pleasant evening with you some weeks ago that this note is long overdue. I simply want to say how deeply grateful I am to you for taking time out of your extremely busy schedule to discuss with me one of the vital issues of our day, and to demonstrate anew your support for the on-going struggle to make the American dream a reality. Certainly all men tof good will are indebted to you for your genuine humanitariam concern and your unswerving devotion to the ideals of justice and human dignity.
I must mention the many personal courtesies extended to me, chief among them, the convenient arrangement that facilitated so much my travel schedule.2
Your statement in the public meeting gave not only new inspiration and hope to us who work on the front line, but also to the many people of color who are burdened by racial discrimination.3
I hope that the video tape of my speech turned out well, and I mention here in passing that here again you have provided another opportunity for my message to be more broadly distributed. I appreciate so much Mr. Hugh Morrow’s skillful handling of the arrangements for making the tape at the Syracuse meeting.4
My best wishes to you, and I trust that your stay in Venezuela was most restful and rewarding.5 I hope our paths will cross again in the not too distant future.
Very truly yours,
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Km
1. Rockefeller met King for dinner on 16 June and then accompanied him as he spoke at a fundraising rally at Wilborn Temple First Church of God in Christ (“Governor Attends Rally with Dr. King,” New York Times, 17 June 1961; King, “The American Dream,” Address at Wilborn Temple First Church of God in Christ, 16 June 1961). Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller (1908–1979), grandson of Standard Oil founder John D. Rockefeller, received his B.A. from Dartmouth in 1930. After appointments in the Roosevelt, Truman, and Eisenhower administrations, Rockefeller became governor of New York in 1958. As governor, Rockefeller expanded New York’s social welfare programs and endorsed the civil rights movement. In 1960, Rockefeller mounted the first of two unsuccessful campaigns for the Republican Party presidential nomination. Rockefeller spoke in support of King after his October 1960 arrest in the Atlanta sit-ins, noting that “when the great spiritual leader, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, finds himself in jail today because he had the courage to love, we have a long way to go in America” (Douglas Dales, “Governor Turns to Lay Preaching,” New York Times, 24 October 1960). After being reelected governor of New York in 1970, Rockefeller moved politically toward the right, and recanted his support for social welfare programs. When inmates at Attica Correctional Facility rioted and took hostages in 1971, Rockefeller refused to negotiate with the prisoners and instead sent New York State troopers to quell the rebellion. Over forty people were killed, and critics condemned his handling of the situation. In 1973, he resigned as governor to devote more time to his charitable work; however, this was short lived, as he accepted the vice presidency of the United States when vice president Gerald Ford became president after Nixon’s resignation in 1974. He served for two years and declined to be renominated for the position.
2. Rockefeller and King flew together on the governor’s private plane from New York City to Albany to address the rally (“Governor Attends Rally with Dr. King,” 17 June 1961).
3. In his introductory remarks before the rally at Wilborn Temple First Church of God in Christ, Rockefeller praised King as a great spiritual leader who is as “similarly motivated and similarly dedicated” as Gandhi (Rockefeller, Remarks at Wilborn Temple First Church of God in Christ, 16 June 1961).
4. King delivered “The American Dream” at Syracuse University on 13 July. Hugh Morrow (1915–1991) was Rockefeller’s speechwriter and special assistant.
5. Rockefeller vacationed at his Venezuelan ranch from 16 July to 26 July.
Source: MLKP-MBU, Martin Luther King, Jr., Papers, 1954–1968, Boston University, Boston, Mass.