Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Nixon F By BOB FISCHL Gamecock Staff Writer He walked between a column of representatives and secret service, pausing to shake the hand of a small boy. He smiled a tired glance at the delegates from Washington and bowed his head to the thundering applause from the floor and bal cony. In a short while he would be the first U.S. president, in the his tory of South Carolina, to address the General Assembly. President Richard M. Nixon had come to Columbia. "There iA no greater tribute which can be paid an individual than to identify him simply as "A Man of Peace," Gov. John West said. News Analysis The atmosphere was tense as the president arose, smiled, and shifted into the stance which has become his trademark. He clung to the lec turn and spoke. "I am honored to be here because this is the first legislature in the nation to pass a resolution supporting the peace settlement in Vietnam." He spoke of praise to Speaker Sol Blatt for holding many high offices but then abruptly changed his format to dis cuss world affairs and American policy. "We are no longer Republi cans, Democrats or Independents we are Americans," the president said, "and I would like to relate what the recent settlement means to GAME The Gamecock is published twice A ing the fall and spring semesters with and exam periods. Change of address forms, subscril should be sent to The Gamecock, Dri Subscription rate is $3 per semeste from the student activity fund entitlin Offices of The Gamecock are rooms on the university campus. Telephom and 777-3888, advertising. Second cl NO MORE' OPEN 7 DAY quick self Winners Circl IS NOW OFF BUFF Your choice of 1 neat & all the plate, with hot rolls and butter, c BUFFET SERVED 11:0)0 A.M.-23 5:00 PM-8:00 7 AM.o 9PM.14 9 A.M.-91 Open 7 Days A Week U non THE EFFICIENDO READING DOU) CALL COMM DEVEJ PENDLETON A Pill That's Eas 'raises S Americans, to Vietnamese and to the world." Nixon spoke of strength through unity and then spoke of the beginn ing of the war and how Americans had proved to their allies and enemies alike that they had the courage to stand and fight and would not take the easiest political way out. He said it was untrue to state that America had entered Vietnam for conquest purposes or to develope military installations but that the U.S. had entered only to prevent the takeover of a defenseless country from the forces of communism. Is this state ment entirely true? Most assuredly this fell in line with the theory of containment which was prevalent at the time but when this theory fell into the back view, and it was almost universally recognized that this type theory could not be held valid, why were American forces not only still there but more coming over. It is easy to say that we committed ourselves and thus rationalize the situation in that aspect but remember that 50,000 American boys will never see their loved ones as the fortunate (in perspec tive)POW's that are now coming home. It is also too easy to say that we should have stayed in Vietnam because those Americans lost their lives because this too seems to be just adding to the whole process. If one blames Richard Nixon for the problem of the war, one is acting too hastily. Just as there is no winner or loser there is no one upon which to shoulder the blame or point COCK eekly on Monday and Thursday dur the exception of university holidays tions requests and other mail items iwer A, USC, Columbia, S. C., 29208. r. The Gamecock received $38,000 g full-time students to a subscription. 317, 318 and.319 in Russell House s are 777-8178 and 777-4249, news, ass postage paid at Columbia, S. C. WAITING S A WEEK -service Restaurant ERING A .JT vegetables you can put on your offee tea or coke. 1.50 kndxay throughi FIlay FM. Sigurday PAM. Siunday reen Street_ IIEDICINAL SPEED BLE OR TRIPLE R READING RATE 177-5223 TODAY UNICATION SKILLS JOPMENT CENTER BUILDING ROOM 211 vy To Swallow tate, Talk the finger. A tragic episode in American history is finally at an end and even though people may dislike Nixon politically they still must agree that he indeed ended the war and history will remember him for that. "Our goal was the prevention of a forcable communist takeover and we achieved that goal and should be proud that we did achieve that goal," said Nixon. He then read a "...we have ended American involve ment in Vietnam. The critical question is how do we end a war and from there go about building a last ing peace." Richard M. Nixon letter he had received from a mother in California which basi cally commended his effort at bringing about an "honorable peace." He extended his comforts and commended "those brave POW's who are just now returning home " and recommended that the United States be one of the nations to lead the world to a peace that will last on. "We ended World War I; we RM Folk *Rock Singi TIse I s Of Pea( ended World War'II; Korea; and now we have ended American involvement in Vietnam. The criti cal question is how do we end a war and from there go about building a lasting peace." The president drifted from the Vietnam settlement to venture forth the accomplishments of the past four years. He mentioned the great breakthrough in trade with China and the successful nuclear arms limitation talks with the Soviet Union. "Here lies the very essence of peace," he said when referring to the continuation of the "arms talks" this year. But he also added that America must be strong when they go to the conference table. "A nation that is strong militarily but not respected throughout the world is not a nation worth talking to." Nixon went on to say that America ECOR SALE Jas C"a [e and boxed Si $129 -up Vamp us hi LUSSELL HOUTS .etime will never enter a conference with out this strength and that it will never have to go to the conference table as the "second strongest nation in the world." There existed a clear agreement of sentiment as the president received a thunderous round of applause. President Nixon spoke of reunit ing the country and that he was very glad that he did not in any way con tribute to a sectional splitting of the country. The visit of the president to South Carolina could be the awakening America needs. The gesture by Nixon was politi cally motivated but as he left the General Assembly and descended the stairs of the capital the motto of the State of South Carolina-Dum Spiro, Spero-rang clear. "While I breathe, I hope." B sts hop E