BOONE—A fierce defender of the Constitution, U.S. Sen. Sam Ervin had a series of conflicts with President Nixon over executive power, domestic spying and civil liberties. What his experience in the early 1970s can teach the American public today is discussed on “Appalachian Perspective,” the cable television program of Appalachian State University. view video clip

The episode titled “Lessons from ‘Senator Sam’” features historian Karl Campbell. He recently authored the biography “Senator Sam Ervin, Last of the Founding Fathers,” published by University of North Carolina Press. Campbell is an associate professor in Appalachian’s Department of History.

The 30-minute program is hosted by Chancellor Kenneth E. Peacock.

Ervin represented North Carolina in the Senate from 1954 to 1974. He was an active figure during the McCarthy and civil rights eras, and he chaired the Watergate hearings involving Richard Nixon in 1973. Ervin’s Bible-quoting, country-lawyer style and use of humor made him a folk hero during those televised hearings.

If Ervin were serving in the Senate today, his distrust of centralized power would have him at the forefront of questioning the actions of the Bush administration, Campbell says.

“Ervin would say freedom is never free,” Campbell says. “We forget. We think in America that we have the Constitution that we’re protected and freedoms are guaranteed, but Ervin would have us remember that every generation needs to fight for that freedom.

“If Americans don’t step up, follow the news and ask questions of their government, we too could lose our freedom. I think that’s the civic lesson in this.”

“Appalachian Perspective” airs in Watauga County at the following times: Charter Communication Channel 21 weekdays at 10:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.; Channel 2 at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays; and on MTN’s Channel 18 Thursdays at 5:30, 6:30, 9:30 and 10:30 p.m. and Fridays at 12:30 p.m.

The episode titled “Lessons from ‘Senator Sam’” airs through January. It can also be accessed online at www.perspective.appstate.edu.

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