The Jury Replies

Sir / Congratulations on your superb editorial [Nov. 121. In these hysterical times, TIME is one of the first voices to submit that the resignation of Mr. Nixon would be only a tremor to strengthen us, not an earthquake to bring us down. Your logical and responsible editorial puts it all into perspective when we the people desperately need some perspective.

JANET AND STEPHEN DUNCAN San Francisco

Sir / Bravo! It's about time a major publication realized and acted upon its responsibilities. I completely support your editorial position on the resignation of the President.

We will see, however, if it is really the will of the people that governs this country. Somehow Mr. Nixon has got his own tenacity confused with the good of the nation. Is anyone really interested in his neurotic determination to "stick it out" in spite of the overwhelming public outcry for his resignation? He only shows his disdain and disregard for our democratic institutions by "toughing it out."

RICHARD ELLIS New York City

Sir / I never thought I would have to change my statement of some 18 months ago that Nixon might well be the best President the U.S. ever had. You probably never thought you would write an editorial. Yet Nixon, by his actions, has finally "brought us together." Congratulations on your acceptance of a thankless yet vital task: speaking out in defense of basic American principles of government by law, not by the lawless.

(M/SGT) ARTHUR M. JORGENSEN U.S.A.F. McGuireA.F.B., N.J.

Sir / Our wonderful country is in great danger of being thrown into chaos if we do not stand back of our President in these turbulent times. I am wondering how we could function as a great nation if Mr. Nixon is forced to resign.

He has been, and is, a strong leader. We had better be watchful lest we destroy ourselves.

GLADYS PERCIVAL Fayetteville, N.Y.

Sir / TIME is to be congratulated for finally taking an editorial stand that is vitally necessary to the well-being of this nation. Only one other President has divided this nation as badly as Nixon: Lincoln. His reasons for doing so were motivated by a sense of human justice; Nixon was and is being motivated by purely selfish political considerations and an exaggerated sense of selfimportance. The present crisis in leadership was caused largely by Nixon and those he surrounded himself with, and the people no longer have faith in his ability to effectively govern the nation. If he does not step down on his own, then Congress should remove him.

BRUCE W. NUSBAUM San Francisco

Sir / I salute you for finally recognizing what an editorial is. It seems to me that for years your magazine has been nothing but one long liberal-leaning editorial, in the guise of news, from cover to cover.

If you are successful in getting the resignation of one of the best Presidents we have had in recent years, it will be a tribute to the power of the biased, Nixon-hating national media. I just wish it were possible for our news media to have to be elected by the people, as was the President.

MRS. J. ALLEN MARTIN Columbia, S.C.

Sir / One of these days you professional boat-rockers will go down in your own waves. Instead of President Nixon resigning, I call upon TIME magazine to cease publication. At least that would make more sense. Millions of real Americans are totally sickened by you and the circling would-be jackals who have done untold damage to this nation.

F.W. MORRISON Atlanta

Sir / In 1972 we elected Richard Nixon to another four-year term as President of the U.S. We would like to see him complete that term without harassment from the media Mafia! Please exhibit the restraint you would if he were a Democrat.

(MRS.) JACQUELINE W. HILLENBRAND St. Petersburg, Fla.

Sir / I keep wondering whether you in the media have any alternative to offer in the frenzy you have whipped up to get Nixon out--or do you just push down the blocks and survey the wreckage like a naughty child? It's time to cool it and stand back and take a look--we have no other leader who inspires any confidence.

MRS. C.H. MOGER Marion, Iowa

Sir / Congratulations on your first editorial. Although we are told Nixon reads only summaries from the news media, I have mailed him a copy of this week's TIME, hoping he'll get the message.

KENNETH ANGER New York City

Sir / Your decision to endorse the resignation of Richard Nixon reflects, I believe, the feeling of most concerned Americans. Thank you, and I hope that your action and the actions of others will cause Mr. Nixon to return to reality long enough to offer the requested resignation.

RICHARD S. JOHNSON Boulder, Colo.

Sir / There is a proper method for removing a President--namely, impeachment by Congress.

Those who are urging President Nixon to resign are attempting to use a method that violates the intent of our Constitution. If Mr. Nixon should resign, he would in effect have allowed himself to be "impeached" by the media and Nixon haters.

He was elected by a substantial majority of the people of this country, and he should not be forced out of office by subversive methods.

JOHN L. BECKLEY North Caldwell, N.J.

Sir / You are hereby directed to stop publishing. You are under citizen's arrest for sedition, treason, subversive activities and other high crimes. You were not elected leader of this nation. That function was given to Nixon in 1972 to be carried out for four years. Just close down and conserve needed energy.

MR. AND MRS. DAVID MOYLAN Roanoke, Va.

Sir / In the name of Henry R. Luce, if you could keep your mouth shut for 50 years, there is no reason to editorialize now except for personal vendetta. My only question is: Now that you have crucified Nixon, who will crucify you? I will not cancel my 25-year subscription to your so-called journalistic effort for the simple reason that I wish to have the pleasure of receiving your final edition. May it be soon, for the sake of our nation.

W.C. KINDER JR. Cerritos, Calif.

Sir / As a longtime reader of TIME, I deeply regret your editorial urging President Nixon to step down.

What we don't need now is a hysterical outcry supporting the blood lust of our President's opponents. What we do need is a lot of balance and a proper perspective on the man himself and the job he is doing, not a judgment of guilty based on inference and conjecture.

And most of all we need a voice to represent the great majority, who do not share the excitement of "getting the President," which seems to be the favorite game of politicians and newsmen today.

WILLIAM SUDYK Detroit

Sir / Those Americans calling for the President's impeachment or resignation must be prepared to do so on the basis of a calculated risk. Whoever succeeds him, it is a certainty that the Kremlin leaders are going to test his resolution in those areas of the world where American and Soviet interests clash. The risk of an error in assessment of the new President's will, or lack of it, could have disastrous results, and bring you troubles that make today's sorry situation pale in comparison.

R.F. IRISH Picton, Ont.

Sir / TIME'S first editorial is to be applauded by all who cherish the Bill of Rights and abhor the despot whose reign of tyranny and corruption must be ended before America can once more be called the land of the free. Thank you.

DONALD TAYLOR Los Angeles

Sir / I think it is truly significant that your first editorial in 50 years suggests that Mr. Nixon should resign his office in the best interests of the nation. For my part, I want to thank you for your courageous action.

NORMAN A. GOODWIN New York City

Sir / By adding your voice to the baying of the hounds, you are contributing to the forces that are tearing this country apart.

C.W. DUTTON Riverside, Calif.

Sir / What kind of authority have you to call upon the elected President of the U.S. to resign? This is the first time in the history of the magazine that such a request has been made. Perhaps it is the first time that the magazine has been run by such egotistical propagandizers. If you want to run the country, run for election.

(MRS.) PATRICIA PETERSON Dallas

Sir / If there was ever a time when the political adage "Don't change horses in the middle of the stream" was true, it is now.

While confidence on the domestic front may be low, the international stakes have never been greater. No President has been able to achieve what President Nixon and his associates have accomplished regarding peace and the easing of tensions.

Suggesting that he resign, when it is doubtful that sufficient evidence exists for impeachment (to say nothing about the odds of finding him guilty), is just about as silly as firing the captain and crew of a damaged jetliner while they are fighting for a successful landing in a pea-soup fog. Who would take over?

VINTON K. ULRICH Waltham, Mass.

Sir / Congratulations for your courageous and patriotic decision to make an editorial statement urging Mr. Nixon to resign.

I have long not been a friend of your publication. Among other things, I feel that you have a great deal to atone for with regard to your coverage of the Viet Nam War in the 1960s. I think with this editorial you have taken a giant step toward redemption.

ANDREW FITCH New York City

Sir / I just heard on the news that you have requested our President to resign. Now isn't that just great. Reminds me of the old story I heard when I was a child about the flea biting the elephant and then asking whether he had hurt it. Now I have the temerity to make a request. I ask that you cease publication of your liberal magazine. It would help the paper shortage and decrease trash pollution if you would.

S.W. BOWKER North Little Rock, Ark.

Sir / Mr. Nixon will fool you once more. He will not resign. He will not wait to be impeached. He will become conveniently ill and will be ostensibly ordered off the job by his doctor. It is the only way he can save face, and he will take it.

TAM W. DEACHMAN Vancouver, B.C.

Sir / Your editorial was of great service to the nation. Let us hope that the President reads not only your statement but also others like it and weighs their prudent advice. His resignation is the only cure for our badly diseased presidency. If he does not resign, we are in for a time of terrible division in this country, not only in Government but between citizens in communities throughout the land.

FREDRIC J. LOWE New York City

Sir / How sad it makes me to read your editorial. You have taken a brave stand, as we all should. You have publicly committed yourself to what you believe is right and what you believe is wrong. I believe you are right, the President should resign. That is what makes me sad. I doubt that the President any longer knows what is right.

MARK BERGEN New York City

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