Quick Historical Question

[Steely_Dan]

I know that someone here that either recalls or knows the name of the Senator who said to McCarthy:

"At long last, sir." "Have you no shame?" "Have you no decency?"

Was that Sam Irvin...

-Paige

[villager]

1. Joseph Welch. attorney

during the Army/McCarthy hearings, I believe...

[xray s]

2. I don't think it was a Senator

I think it was either an Army or State Department person...google to the rescue

[Trajan]

3. "At Long Last .. "

"Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last? Have you no sense of decency?" - Joseph Welch, special counsel in the 1954 Army-McCarthy hearings.

[Steely_Dan]

5. I just love that quote...

...and the way it was delivered.

-Paige

[Steely_Dan]

4. I remember...

...seeing a film of him saying that. He reminded me of a kindly old professor...one who could see with wisdom and clarity. We need someone like him right now to expose this administration.

-Paige

[MissWaverly]

6. edited transcript from the hearing

Welch: ..Until this moment, Senator, I think I never really gauged your cruelty or your recklessness.

...So, Senator, I asked him to go back to Boston. Little did I dream you could be so reckless and so cruel as to do an injury to that lad. ...It is, I regret to say, equally true that I fear he shall always bear a scar, needlessly inflicted by you. If it were in my power to forgive you for your reckless cruelty, I would do so. I like to think I'm a gentle man, but your forgiveness will have to come from someone other than me...McCarthy: Let me finish this...Welch: I meant to do you no personal injury and if I did, I beg your pardon. Let us not assassinate this lad further, Senator. You've done enough. Have you no sense of decency, sir? At long last, have you left no sense of decency?

McCarthy: I know this hurts you, Mr. Welch.

Welch: I'll say it hurts.

McCarthy: May I say, Mr. Chairman, as a point of personal privilege, that I'd like to finish this.

Welch: Senator, I think it hurts you too, sir.

-- Joseph Welch and Sen. Joseph McCarthy, 1954. Army-McCarthy Hearings.

[Historic NY]

7. Sec. of the Army Joe Welch........n/t