Newspaper Articles

Vice President Richard M. Nixon appealed to West Virginians, "Keep America strong in her idealism. Keep her young people well-grounded with their loya[l]ty to this country, because we need that."

The GOP presidential candidate carried his campaign into Charleston on Tuesday, Sept. 28. Mr. Nixon, accompanied by his wife, Pat, spent a little over two and a half hours in the capitol city.

The Charleston High Mt. Lion band was praised for its performance by Mr. Nixon in his brief address at the airport. He asked for "a hand for the Charleston High School band." The Republican nominee later signed the CHS bass drum.

The Nixon party, fresh from campaigning in Memphis, Tenn., headed a motorcade to the Civic Center, Mr. and Mrs. Nixon waved to scattered groups along Washington and Greenbrier streets. A crowd numbering around 1,000 gave the motorcade a tremendous welcome outside the Center. The Nixons were sped to a lounge behind the main arena where they rested during the introductory addresses given by Mr. Eugene Scott, chairman of the rally, Mr. Daniel Louchery, GOP state chairman, and Mayor John Shanklin.

Book Strap reporters and photographer covered the rally from the press section to the right of the speaker's podium. CHS representatives were seated behind newsmen from the New York Times. The press table was no more than six feet from the platform.

Mr. Scott, acting chairman of the rally, assured us that the Book Strap was welcome at the Nixon salute.

The rally gained momentum as the crowd anticipated Vice President Nixon's appearance. An audience estimated from 7,500 to 10,000 persons awaited his speech. The gathering is believed to have been the largest indoor political rally in the history of West Virginia.

Guests seated on the platform were introduced to the Center audience. Two members of President Eisenhower's Cabinet, Arthur S. Fleming, Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare; and Fred A. Seaton, Secretary of the Interior, were applauded. The crowd cheered Chapman Revercomb, former U. S. senator, as he took his place on the platform.

Governor and Mrs. Underwood were introduced, and Governor Underwood presented Vice President and Mrs. Nixon. The Nixons acknowledged the standing ovation from the rostrum. Mr. Nixon then escorted his wife to a seat beside Governor Underwood. As the nominee returned to the rostrum, the audience saluted him once more.

After the demonstrations were over, the Vice President declared that his opponent Senator John F. Kennedy and Democratic leadership in Congress were more interested in making a political issue for campaign purposes than in actually aiding West Virginia's economic distress.

"I am glad to find that there are healthy, happy, confident people in this state," stated Mr. Nixon. "I do not intend for political purposes to blacken the reputation of this state or its people," he added.