Nation: Violent End to a Vitriolic Campaign

THE time has come to take the gloves off," said Richard Nixon as the 1970 political campaign came to a suddenly turbulent conclusion. He proceeded to do just that, hitting out with the strongest language he has used as President, punching hard on his favorite theme of law-and-order. He declared war on what he called the "band of violent thugs" in America—and on the permissiveness that he believes has helped to create a climate of terror.

What brought on Nixon's strident outburst was a physical assault on his campaign motorcade in San Jose, Calif.,...

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