U.S. must protect free world – Nixon

Press, 4 July 1978, Page 8

U.S. must protect free world - Nixon

NZPA-Reuter Hyden (Kentucky) Mr Richard Nixon has bounced back into public life with an impassioned plea for a militarily strong United States to lead and protect the free world. Thousands of cheering supporters on Sunday crowded into the small coal mining town of Hyden to hear Mr Nixon's first public speech since he left the White House in disgrace on August 9, 1974. He received standing Ovations both before and after his address, and two 21-gun salutes and a stirring serenade from a United States Army band. Mr Nixon did not mention Watergate, President Carter, or the present Administration at any point in his 45-minute speech, but spoke as if assuming the role of an elder Statesman. “There is no nation in the free world, except the United States, that has the strength and power tn stem the tide of dictatorial oppression,” he said. “The future of freedom; the future of peace in'the world for ourselves and others, rests in America’s hands.” The audience interrupted Mr Nixon with loud and long applause when he said that his Administration had ended the Vietnam war and military conscription, and when he urged a strong national defence against “a threat greater than war ... the threat of conquest without war,” Mr Nixon, now 65, said he would speak out in the future on important nonpartisan issues, but he made it clear that he had no intention of resuming active politics. Even so, he took every opportunity to plunge into the crowds, shaking hands and slapping backs just as enthusiastically as if he were once again standing for elective office. After a private reception for local political

leaders in Memphis. Ten-

i nessee, Mr Nixon headed .! back to his home in San [ C I e nt e n t e , California, . where he had lived in viri tual seclusion for the last I four years.