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[ 114 ] Plant My Feet on Higher Ground archibald j. carey jr. and the national gop Archibald J. Carey Jr. was undeterred by the rough-and-tumble of Chicago politics . His strong commitment to public theology and his belief in the Republican Party as an effective vehicle for advancing African American civil rights remained a primary focus in his civic career. He never wavered in his conviction that clergy should be involved in electoral politics to push policies and initiatives that would benefit the disadvantaged. To a Spiritualist pastor active in political advocacy, he said, “I am aware of the prejudice many people have against preachers in politics.” Nevertheless, he believed, clergy, “charged with the solemn responsibilities of a pastoral shepherd,” should express their political views in the pulpit and in public. Moreover, the “freedom of speech should not be denied any American citizen, least of all a responsible community leader” who happened to be a minister. Carey reiterated these perspectives when advising his friend, Adam Clayton Powell Jr., who was considering a run for the New York mayor’s office. Carey urged, “Don’t give up the church” but “go ahead and run.” Powell believed that his candidacy would “force people to think, both Negroes and whites,” that African Americans could attain high political office. Though Powell doubted that he would receive the Democratic nomination, the attempt would “plant the seed and some day someone [an African American] might get it.” Carey agreed. Carey also acknowledged his ups and downs in politics but remained firm in his conviction that political office was a proper place to do public theology and enlarge his ministry to benefit the church and community that he served.1 chapter 6 archibald j. carey jr. and the national gop [ 115 ] To achieve this objective, Carey thought that the Republican Party was a better ally for African Americans than the Democrats. As a successful candidate in two aldermanic elections, Carey had become a valued Republican officeholder and a vigorous GOP advocate. During his campaigns for the Chicago City Council and for Congress, his name became increasingly familiar to officials at all levels of the party hierarchy. Hence, he forged a close alliance with Illinois senator Everett M. Dirksen, who described Carey as among the “greatest guys” he knew and as someone with a “‘top flight’ reputation.”2 Carey also became an enthusiastic supporter of Dwight D. Eisenhower’s 1952 and 1956 presidential campaigns. Dirksen, Eisenhower , and other high-ranking Republicans rewarded Carey with political favors and appointments, which satisfied his political aspirations and helped him advance black civil rights. A member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1935 to 1949, Dirksen had become an influential GOP figure in Downstate Illinois. In 1950, he was elected to the U.S. Senate, where he served until his death in 1969. Carey became acquainted with Dirksen during the 1950 election, when both were candidates for Congress and when Dirksen aided Carey’s challenge to William Dawson. Although Carey lost, he thanked the senator for “the fellowship of campaigning” and hoped someday to join him “in some good cause to help the people.” Not long thereafter, Carey moved to solidify the relationship. In 1951, he invited Dirksen to address the thousands of participants at the 1952 African Methodist Episcopal (AME) General Conference meeting in Chicago, an appearance that would benefit not only Dirksen and the AME but also the Republican Party. Because of the presidential election year and because the denomination had to appear nonpartisan, “a big Republican as well as a big Democrat” would be invited to speak to the delegates, but Carey offered to use his influence to arrange Dirksen’s appearance during the welcome program, when the convention’s “biggest crowd” would be gathered.3 Dirksen accepted Carey’s invitation but came during General Conference balloting for new bishops and general officers. The presiding officer, Bishop George W. Baber, interrupted the election and presented Carey to introduce Dirksen. Dirksen focused his remarks on the meaning of the AME Church motto, “God Our Father, Christ Our Redeemer, Man Our Brother.” That he brought with him a fellow GOP senator from Missouri must have gratified Carey. Baber reminded the senators that the AME Church stood for civil rights without compromise and wanted “the leaders of our Nation to help make wrong things right.” Carey hoped that delegates’ applause meant that they understood...

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