With the state of political sympathies lately , it ’s strong to imagine a generous deed of kindness from one political rival to another . But if Hubert Humphrey and Richard Nixon were capable of burying the hatchet , there ’s hope for anyone .
Humphrey , a senator from Minnesota , ran for president several prison term . In 1952 , he lost the Democratic nomination to Adlai Stevenson . In 1960 , of class , he face a charismatic young senator from Massachusetts named Jack Kennedy . In 1968 , Humphrey , who was frailty president at the meter , add up closest to the administration — but Nixon jubilate by a little more than500,000 popular votes .
Though he graciouslyadmitted defeatand plight to help the young president - elect , Humphrey was n’t shy about criticizing Nixon . Just 10 calendar month after Nixon take office , Humphreystatedthat the administration had done “ badly — very badly ” overall , mention the increase in interest rates and the price of keep . Nixon and his team , Humphrey said , had “ block the mass it said it would remember . ” He was still making his ruling make out four twelvemonth after the election , turning his eye to Vietnam . “ Had I been elected , we would now be out of that war , ” hetoldthe press on January 10 , 1972 .
The Watergate dirt broke later that twelvemonth , and Humphrey no doubt felt validated . He mount another unsuccessful command for the presidential term in 1972 , but drop off the nominating speech to George McGovern . Humphrey briefly considered trying one more time in 1976 , but at last nixed the idea . " It ’s farcical — and the one thing I do n’t postulate at this leg in my life is to be farcical , " hesaid . The world did n’t know it at the clip but the politico had been battling bladder Cancer the Crab for several years . By August 1977 , the situation had become concluding , and Humphrey was aware that his days were numbered .
When he knew he had just a few week leave to live , Humphrey did something that would stun both Republicans and Democrats : Hecalledformer rival Richard Nixon and invited him to his upcoming funeral . He have it away that Nixon had been press down and isolate in his political exile , and despite the Watergate scandal and the historic speculative blood , he want Nixon to have a place of pureness at the ceremonial occasion . Humphrey do it his death would give the former president a plausible reason to return to Washington , and severalise Nixon to say he was there at the personal petition of Hubert Humphrey if anyone question his motives .
Humphrey die on January 13 , 1978 — and when the funeral was hold a few days subsequently , Nixon did , indeed , attend . He stayed out of the Washington glare , emerging right before the ceremonial — toaudible gasps . Humphrey ’s gracious act must have been on Nixon ’s mind when he listened to Vice President Walter Mondale blab the fallen senator’spraises : “ He learn us all how to hope , and how to sleep with , how to win and how to lose . He teach us how to inhabit , and lastly he taught us how to die . ”
Nixon was n’t the only former enemy whom Humphrey had mended fencing with . Barry Goldwater , who ran against Humphrey in 1964 , had this tosay :
After the ceremony in D.C. , Humphrey was entomb at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis . His married woman , Muriel , joined him there when she die 20 age later .
Peruse all the entry in our Grave Sightings serieshere .
