University of Virginia Library

Compared To Fallen Empire

History Prof. William H.
Harbaugh also chaired the
panel and presented several
anti-Nixon views. Relying on
an historical perspective, Mr.
Harbaugh compared Nixon's
leadership to that of past fallen
empires.

"The fall of the Roman,
British, and Spanish Empires
may be attributed to an
over-extension of power and a
resulting arrogance which lead
to internal dissension and
dependency on mercenary
powers." Mr. Harbaugh
asserted. "Nixon is pushing
toward the same goal with his
desire to be number one. We
have to learn to share power."

Mr. Harbaugh expressed his
disappointment in Mr. Nixon's
confrontation of current issues.
He explains that Mr. Nixon has
a "bad sense of history."

"I have come to the
conclusion that Mr. Nixon is an
ideologue and believes a lot of
what he says and does," he
asserted.

"I remember his
extraordinary speech saying
that we'd have the most radical
program in years through
reorganization of the cabinet
and I believe that he thinks this
reorganization will make him
go down in history."

The panel members later
opened the discussion to the
audience.