Footage of an Appearance by Hubert Horatio Humphrey at the University of Massachusetts

I've been asked by the Brecon Mike McKenna. And others here if I would be willing to entertain questions and I said Of course I would. I had to have. Had the plan that we would do this at at the end only. To have the plan in mind that we might do this at the end of my remarks but it's immaterial to me just in the beginning. And may I suggest I suggest I suggest that anything that each of us have to say to one another that we can say it in a manner which I think will be somewhat helpful. You ask your question. I tried it. I shall try to give you an answer. And I saw a university campus. To go to the microphone more than

happy to try to retain your questions. Thank. You my good friend first of all I don't believe that I did provoke a riot and if I did I have no knowledge. Let me up. Secondly let me comment in terms of the trial that many people are very concerned about. First of all. First of all. Millions of people are concerned about it and everybody should be concerned about it.

And let me speak. Let me let me speak. There is a great deal of difference between a back alley. And a university and I am a teacher and I insist that we conduct this meeting as we would it a university and not in a. Not in some. Way. My position. My position on the on the trial is first of all. A. Far more important. Than whether the defendants were guilty of inciting to riot. Is the question. Is the question of the right of the federal government to prosecute anyone joining a protest demonstration across a state line. Such ain't such an interpretation of the government's power. And in the present temper of the Justice Department this is no theoretical question. Would make it all too

easy to label as lawbreakers. That perennial unpopular species commonly known as the outside agitator if this law is to be sustained. I happen to think our system and it are just a minute I think there are some basic principles of law at stake. I happen to believe that it's my view. That these laws are highly questionable as to their constitutionality number one. Obviously. Number two. That I consider the contempt sentences that have been imposed by the judge to violate every standard of justice that's number two. And I. I'm not interested in the decibel level here of this intellectual conversation that we're having.

I think that there. I think it the real issue. The real issue. Several students guessed as. In. The robes flowing robes from the podium were escorted off it. It will be the first step in denying the aggrieved in any state the right to see receive support. From outside sympathizers in any other. These are the principles that are at stake and they should not be overshadowed. By the outrages committed in Chicago in 1968 whether by the police or the demonstrators. Oh no ma'am. Nor mine. Nor by the more recent outrages in the court. Whether by the demonstrators

or the show. The real issue is the constitutionality of the law under which the defendants have now been convicted. And this is an issue in court and there will surely be appealed to a higher court. Now that's my position and that's my answer. Thank you. May I say most respectfully to this audience. May I say most respectfully to this audience. Thank you. May I repeat most respectfully to this audience that. The matter of the. Due Process of Law in our courts is a vital matter to

every individual every minority in this country. And may I suggest. May I suggest. That demeanor in the court either by the prosecution or the defendant by the accused or the judge that violates due process of law that goes beyond what is fair and equal treatment. Is AIDS is a distinct detriment to everything that we hold to be dear dear in terms of equal protection of the laws. Now. I think I've made it very clear that I look upon this matter. But I look upon this matter as one of such importance. That I am personally convinced that not only will it be appealed. But I have good reason to believe from my own judgement. That it most likely will be declared either on this trial or that on the basis of constitutionality.

That's my view. But I want to say again I want to say that I don't believe that demonstrations or violence in the court protect anybody's liberty and I don't think that is what this country ought to have and I think that those who believe in civil liberties and civil rights ought to have a profound respect for the processes of law and ought to speak up for decent manners within the park. Thanks Christian. Professor Humphrey thank you for here. Thank you. I'm not interested. That's about the level of you that I'm interested in bullshit level. There's too much of it right now.

Thank you now two more guests crossing state lines is a lot of you out there is the way you are watching now so if you want to be my thanks. Thank you. Wow it's too much. You were all he is a. Hero. Right. You Allan thanks. Thanks to extra hour to you Alex thanks thanks thanks. Yeah right.

Yeah. Al. A lifetime of work in the field. Really doesn't take

well aware of that. I believe in the power of the court. And certainly if this meeting gives you anything. Grateful. We are now we've gone over this. Part of the constitutional wall talking about the necessity of upholding the Constitution. You're going to be speaking on the subject of American foreign policy. Hopefully. We like to hear that speech and what I would like to say is this we have a constitution of the

United States which says that the Congress of the United States says Wong We have a war and yet she's going on up for six and a half years we have a war and we lost. She's going more like 70 tons of blogs a day one third of the population were killed just as many people live with you. I thought we had a constitution where it was how come I'm sure. Louis was the world for her. I really don't know why I think you better ask the Congress. Now wait a minute my friend you are an intelligent man and you know a great deal about the history of this country. Let's not try to engage in this not try to engage in here in sheer demagoguery you know that there are honest differences of view about this and we don't and we don't need we don't need to act like we're juvenile about this we can act like mature responsible people.

Sure. He didn't do very well I don't want to try it again. Sure. Thank OK you. AA or AAA. well I

would like to. I would like to express my thanks to the large majority of this audience for your consideration and your traditional courtesy. I was there for the forum late if I late May I suggest that we might all adjourn to the pub. The break in Mike's fuel tank was going like a hill. Thank you Mr. Humphrey. You are doing. Deliver the. Scheduled address on foreign policy. Countering an extremely hostile crowd. Actually the reaction is somewhat mixed used him for his not leaving the cage. No he's not leaving the cage he's going out walking among the students here in the cage approximately 45 to

5000 people. Thousand they are. Gathering. Around him. Throwing confetti and shouting. Mr. Humphrey is attempting to make his way towards the door. The. Crowd. Is totally surrounding him now and fears that he cannot move. He is shaking the hands of. Some of the crowd here as a decayed actually about only half the crowd was really hostile to him and a lot of noise the other half. Partly like what he said. And were satisfied. And they are now surrounding Mr. Humphrey and congratulating him on his remarks tonight. Thirdly how is this electorate not to deliver the. Address on foreign

policy which was scheduled as the third in a series of four Pillsbury lectures. Because of the hostility of the crowd. He commented after the crowd shouted guilty guilty guilty that that was enough. And folded up the script and indicated he was going to leave. He is now making his way through the door. To the door. Totally surrounded by. What appear to be admirers. There are a number of signs being held up here in the cage. We had Kong flag. Some students are dressed as. Judges. In flowing robes. Humphrey has. Made his way out of. TERRY HICKS cage again. Apparently determining not to deliver the scheduled address the. Third in a series of four. Pillsbury lectures.

And I guess that concludes our coverage of the appearance to save him and the mice present if you would a time for the noise level here in Cary Xscape just allowed. The broadcast which you heard tonight has been live from the clerics cage and the University of Massachusetts campus in Amherst and came to you through the facilities of five college radio w o s e r.. This is R Cohen speaking and this is the eastern Public Radio Network.