RICHARD NIXON: THE MAN WHO NEVER QUIT

Today we bury a president: Richard M. Nixon, among the most remarkable men in the history of our time.

Hated, admired, feared, respected, he leaves a profound imprint on the history of the United States -- and the world.

One of the most brilliant architects of foreign policy -- opening China, initiating detente, ending the war in Vietnam -- and author of the deception covering-up Watergate, Nixon was both American triumph and tragedy.

Of course, Watergate will forever mar the record of the 37th president, the only one to resign from office. And that is right. While not large in itself, Watergate came to represent President Nixon's broader abuse of the American people's trust.

But Nixon should be and will be remembered for much else, not least being his courageous pursuit to redeem himself in the eyes of the American people. As the Wall Street Journal wrote, "Whatever your view of his historical calamity, it takes a hard heart and a deep grudge not to admire the way he conducted himself in its wake."

Like no other former president this century, Richard Nixon remained in service to his country: writing books about policy and ideas, offering advice, standing at attention for any leader who sought his counsel.

Indeed, Nixon's whole life can be described as dedicated to serving his country. "The premier politician of the second half of the 20th century, he was at or near the center of events from 1948 until his death. No one else had his longevity -- not Eisenhower, not de Gaulle, not Churchill," writes Stephen Ambrose, historian and biographer of Nixon.

Not all his service was admirable. Nixon was one of the most partisan of American politicians. Not just content with defeating his opponents, he often sought to discredit and destroy them. While not the first to do this, he was the first to do it in the age of television (a technology he embraced and privileged, but never mastered). His partisanship and distrust of almost all others haunted him throughout his public life, in large part leading to his fall.

Unquestionably, Nixon was a political force, changing (in Washington columnist David Broder's words) "the fundamental geography and demography of American politics." He changed the Republican party, initiating a "Southern strategy" to the presidency that remains at its core today. He changed the nature of the relationship between the legislative and executive branches of the government, and between the American people and their president. He made crime and anti-communism central issues in politics.

Through all of this, a part of Richard Nixon that was rarely seen -- although ever-present, according to friends like the Rev. Billy Graham -- was the shy man, the loving husband and the caring friend.

Former Missouri Sen. Thomas Eagleton, who briefly opposed Nixon as a candidate for vice-president in 1972, told this story about the man who so often appeared awkward, hard and defiant:

When a freshman senator, Eagleton took his 12-year old son Terry to a bill-signing ceremony at the White House. Moments after then-President Nixon walked into the room full of dignitaries, Eagleton recalled, "The president made a beeline to my son and said, 'You must be Terry Eagleton! I understand you fell off a horse.'

"Will all the bigwigs standing around, Nixon spent a couple minutes talking to this kid with both elbows in casts," Eagleton said. "It was an exceedingly gracious thing to do, and my son and I will never forget it."

Richard Nixon was also a man deeply in love with his wife. Asked once what word would be engraved on his heart if it were opened after he died, Nixon said, simply, "Pat."

Stephen Ambrose writes, "Richard Nixon could have resurrected himself much sooner had he admitted wrongdoing and apologized for it. The American people yearned to forgive him, but he would not let them. His pride kept him from saying he was sorry; he had done nothing he was ashamed of. He did not want forgiveness, or sympathy, or understanding: He wanted respect. He earned it, the hard way, Mr. Nixon's way.

"How will history rate him? He wanted to be known as a great president, and he came close, but he didn't make it.... He wanted nothing short of world peace and a prosperous, happy America. He was brought down by his own hubris, by his own actions, by his own character. This is a tragedy."

In a private ceremony later this evening, after televised eulogies from President Clinton and others, Richard Nixon will be buried beside his wife of 53 years in the small California town that he was born. The flags will be at half-staff, and the guns will fire in salute. Rest in peace, Mr. Nixon, you have earned it.