Spencer Heath Archive

Item 2348

Carbon of letter of February 8, 1956, to Judge Walter M. Bastian, District Court Building, Washington, DC, and his response of February 10 from the United State Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit, Washington 1, DC

 

 

Dear Judge Bastian:                    February 8, 1956

 

I want to express to you my appreciation of your statesmanlike dissenting opinion in the Watkins case, as reported in Human Events on February 4^th. It is heartening to know that some of our judges — and to know who they are — still have respect for our fundamental institutions and are trying to preserve something of the liberties we have enjoyed under them until recent years.

When our three departments of government /are/ out of balance with each other, there is no more certain step towards a dictatorial regime.

 

 I am happy to remember a very pleasant visit that my daughter and I had with you in the summer of 1954 in your mountain retreat. With many best wishes to you and to Mrs. Krebs, I am

 

Very sincerely yours,

 

SH/m

 

__________________________________________

 

 

Dear Dr. Heath:                       February 10, 1956

 

I thank you indeed for your confidence, as expressed in your letter of February 8. You may be sure that I shall adhere to my conceptions of our basic American institutions and hope that they meet with the approval of such fine citizens as yourself.

 

 With kind regards to you and Mrs. MacCallum, in which Mrs. Krebs asks to join, I am,

Sincerely yours,

 

/s/ Walter M. Bastian