Richard Nixon

The more support I can have from the American people, the sooner that pledge can be redeemed; for the more divided we are at home, the less likely the enemy is to negotiate at Paris.

Good evening, my fellow Americans.

Let us also be united against defeat.

It has taught us that aid that infringes pride is no favor to any nation.

For years, we in the United States have pursued the illusion that we alone could remake continents.

Freedom, justice, a chance for each of our people to live a better and more abundant life—these are goals to which I am unshakably committed because progress in our hemisphere is not only a practical necessity, it is a moral imperative.

What I hope we can achieve, therefore, is a more mature partnership in which all voices are heard and none is predominant.

The nation that went to the moon in peace for all mankind is ready, ready to share its technology in peace with its nearest neighbors.

It has taught us that each nation, and each region, must be true to its own character.

I am now ordering that effective November 1, loan dollars sent to Latin America under AID be freed to allow purchases not only here, but anywhere in Latin America.

I have determined to take the following major steps: First, to lead a vigorous effort to reduce the nontariff barriers to trade maintained by nearly all industrialized countries against products of particular interest to Latin America and…

We will seek adoption by all of the industrialized nations of a scheme with broad product coverage and with no ceilings on preferential imports.

I am still hopeful that the Senate will approve-during this session--this high priority legislation.

This administration wants to work with all Americans.

We are glad you are supporting the Republican Party and the Republican candidates.

The proposed Selective Service reforms present the Senate of the United States with an opportunity to confirm those doubts--or to dissipate them.

I DEEPLY REGRET the announced decision of the Democratic leadership to deny the United States Senate an opportunity to consider draft reform until next year.

The Supreme Court has spoken decisively on the timing of school desegregation.

The House of Representatives by an overwhelming vote has today indicated that it holds the same opinion.

The American people, and particularly our young people, have questioned from time to time whether our political institutions can still be responsive to clearly felt needs.

I respectfully, but urgently, suggest that the decision of the Democratic Senate leadership to block action be reconsidered.

I call upon all citizens, and particularly those in leadership positions, to work together in seeking solutions for these problems in accordance with the mandate of the Court.

I intend to use the leadership resources of the executive branch of Government to assist in every possible way in doing so.

Pointing to the further reforms which might be made is no excuse to make no reforms at all.

Clearly, this is not a matter which should be casually dismissed or made a political football.