January 2018 Auction Ends Thursday, January 25th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/25/2018
Note handwritten by President Richard Nixon as Vice President giving his personal perspective on the limited role of government, one of his Republican party's signature issues. Note is from a collection of handwritten Nixon documents collected by Nixon's biographer and New York Herald Tribune political journalist Earl Mazo, who wrote, ''Richard Nixon: A Political and Personal Portrait''. Published in 1959, the book's source material was written near or before 1958. Nixon creates a master heading, ''Domestically'', under which he lists his five chief priorities beginning with, ''1) a vital strong army / 2) Progress with maximum freedom + protection of Ind[ividual] rights / 3) It is tempting for people to say gov't is answer...'' He rejects that notion, observing, ''Govt. can do it but / But cost is too great''. Under his fourth point, the ''Search for security'', he writes, ''Yes - but America's way is individual.'' Finally in his fifth point he explores the quintessential Republican vision of limiting government's role in society, ''Should we oppose all [government] - ? - social security''. Nixon takes a middle-of-the-road stance, enumerating the benefits of government involvement, ''Govt provides floor / Govt lays down rules - Big Busi[ness]...Govt stimulates economy - cushions cycle / Govt leads way to space, where job too big for private ent. [enterprise].'' The top of the page begins with a numbered list of four points on revolution, among them, ''...Ideals of dignity of Man - freedom etc. are as old as civilization...'' and ''...We must see the challenge and be led''. He then poses the question, ''Is this popular?'' He answers his own question, ''No...But we must not follow, must lead it''. Single page of notes is written in pencil on yellow legal paper. Measures 8'' x 12.5''. Near fine.
Richard Nixon Handwritten Note as Vice President -- ''...Should we oppose all? [Government] stimulates economy, cushions cycle...America's way is individual...''
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