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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 15, 1971)
Nixon by GARY SEACREST Nebraskan Staff Writer The President approached the podium and the shouts "Peace now, Peace now" rang out. But, before Richard M. Nixon had uttered a word, to the col legiate crowd of 7,000, the peace chanters were booed into a quiet that lasted throughout Nixon's 30 minute talk Thurs day at the NU Coliseum. Making his first important address of 1971, Nixon appealed for a peace settlement with America's youth. He asked for an alliance with American youth by which the "com mitment and the compassion of one generation can be linked to the will and experience of another." Declaring that there can be no generation gap in America, the President said, "the destiny of this nation is not divided in!o yours and ours it is one destiny." But the special convocation often resembled a football rally as the President had to share the spotlight and the applause with the Husker football team and coach Bob Devaney. Before his address. Nixon presented the football team with a plaque honoring it as the nation's number one collegiate football team. Nixon, an infrequent visitor to college campuses, revealed only one new administration aim in his speech on the role on youth in Amreican society. He said he will send a special message to Congress proposing a new volunteer agency that would bring together the Peace Corps, VISTA, and a number of other federal agencies. PAGE 2 ampuA, receives The President said the new agency, which has not yet been named, "will give young Americans an expanded op portunity for the service they want to give and that will give them what is not now of fered, a chance to transfer between service abroad and service at home." Referring to 1970 legislation lowering the voting age in federal elections to 18, Nixon said: "So much is in your hands now. To those who have believed the system could not be moved, I urge you try it. To those who have thought the system was impenetrable, I say there is no longer a need to penetrate the door is open." However, Nixon, who knows v r rjn um. f a he iHT ft ; 1 "Jj I f I :) :'fT'k'' If " n J If II ; JUST MINUTES AWAY Where Your Good Friends Meet To Eat "FRI. & SAT. NIGHTS OPEN TIL 2:00 AJ.1." "OTHER NIGHTS OPEN TIL MIDNIGHT" on 27th North of Vine enthusiastic welcome the taste of political defeat, warned that the democratic process. , involves defeats and disappointments as well as victories. In urging an alliance between the generations, Nixon made a broad appeal to young people who will be voting for the first time In 1972. The chief executive indicated last week that the youth vote will be up for grabs in 1972 and indicated he would try to win it. There were few demonstra tions against the President Thursday as football fans and Nixon admirers vastly out numbered protesters. A few protesters flashed the peace svmbol durine the speech, but no hecklers interrupted the THE NEBRASKAN President Many persons chose to protest by remaining silent An estimated 1,500 persons listened to the convocation outside the Coliseum as of ficials closed the doors before Nixon arrived. Noting that all . Americans are committed to be involved in the political process, the President said: "The old excuse about a world I never made will not serve any longer. You have now the opportunity and the obligation to mold the world you live in, and yon cannot escape this obligation." Declaring that the United States "will not run on in ertia," Nixon said the country could fail in one generation. It's time your "The answer lies in what you , and your generation bring to the task of being an American and what you pass on," he added. "These depend in turn upon what your nation gives to you now." Nixon's speech was politely received by the NU audience. The only time the crowd ap plauded during the speech was when Nixon promised that this wi l be the first generation in a century "to tnjoy a fuli generation of peace." The President repeated his achievements of ending the war and told the crowd his plan of obtaining peace i s suc ceeding. But he noted that the challenges of peace are as great as the challenges of war. "There needs to be something more than the mere absence of war," Nixon remarked. "Young people need something positive to respond to some high enterprise in which they can test themselves and fulfill themselves." In order for society to benefit fully from young people, Nixon said, it is necessary to break down the barriers that block their energies and ideals. "The war in Vielnam has taken a heavy toi our young men," he remarked. "This Administration has no higher priority than to end the war in a way that will bring a lasting peace. For one thing, I want to end it because tihis nation has positive priorities here at home that young men and women no occupied in war would turn hands to in peace." Live-in in Omaha The Wesley Foundation will sponsor a live-in on Omaha's near North Side Feb. 5. 6 and 7. The purpose of the live-in, according to Mel Luetchens, associate director of the Wesley foundation, is to let students get the feeling of what it means to live in a ghetto. Students will stay in the North Side's Urban Studies Center. Cost of the trip is $18, which will cover transporta tion, room and board. Interested students should sign up for the trip at the Wesley Foundatkfl by Jan. 22. Boulder ski trip A ski trip to Boulder, Colo., over semester break is being sponsored by the Wesley Foundation. Cost of the trip is $40, which covers everything but tow tickets and skiing lessons. Participants will leave at noon Jan. 27 dad return on Jan. 31. Interested students should contact the Wesley Foundation by Jan. 20. to remember Valentine! FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 1971
