Excerpt from Richard M. Nixon’s Speech on Vietnamization, 1969
I recognize that some of my fellow citizens disagree with the plan for peace I have chosen. . . . I would be untrue to my oath of office if I allowed the policy of this nation to be dictated by the minority who hold that point and who try to impose it on the Nation by mounting demonstrations in the street.
For almost two hundred years, the policy of this nation has been made under our Constitution by those leaders in the Congress and in the White House elected by all of the people. If a vocal minority, however fervent its cause, prevails over reason and the will of the majority, this nation has no future as a free society. . . .
I know it may not be fashionable to speak of patriotism or national destiny these days. But I feel it is appropriate to do so on this occasion. Two hundred years ago this nation was weak and poor. But even then, America was the hope of millions in the world. Today we have become the strongest and richest nation in the world. The wheel of destiny has turned so that any hope the world has for the survival of peace and freedom will be determined by whether the American people have the moral stamina and the courage to meet the challenge of free-world leadership. Let historians not record that when America was the most powerful nation in the world we passed on the other side of the road and allowed the last hopes for peace and freedom of millions of people to be suffocated by the forces of totalitarianism. . . .
Use the excerpt from Richard M. Nixon’s speech on Vietnamization to answer the question.
How does Nixon respond to the activities of the peace movement during the Vietnam War?
A.
He argues that the nation has a moral responsibility to defend freedom abroad.
B.
He says that the freedoms of speech and the press do not protect government criticism.
C.
He suggests that the will of the majority must sometimes submit to the wisdom of the minority.
D.
He insists that their protests are baseless given the vast military and economic resources of the nation.