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Sale 86
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Lot 93
Eisenhower, Dwight D. Typed letter signed ("DE") with holograph "Thanks again - Sincerely," 6 pages, on White House stationery, Washington, December 10, 1953. Each page with "Personal and Confidential." Staple holes at upper left. To Emmet J. Hughes, who had been his principal speechwriter during the presidential campaign, answering questions posed by Hughes in a lengthy letter (carbon copy included). Eisenhower notes that from the day he was called to the War Department, December 12, 1941, and given the task of utilizing troops for projects throughout the world, "well-meaning people were springing up all over the country to urge 'action'….it was implied that while our armed services were probably not traitors or really criminal, it was obvious that they were too deliberate, too cautious, too fearful to be mentioned in the same breath with the red-blooded writers of these various exhortations and diatribes. Actually the time had to be used…to build the teams of leadership and of combat units necessary to win the war….This story was repeated in slightly different terms and tones after I landed in London in June of '42….After our first landing in Africa, the old chatter of 'inaction' soon built up again….I was too busy working at the job of creating an effective staff, finding and training subordinate commanders, and developing the skill and morale and material strength of units. When we finally captured the last Italian and German forces in Italy…great joy swept over the allied world and the allied commanders were heroes, far-seeing soldiers, virtual supermen. It was all of two or three weeks before the old anvil chorus got again into full play…."
As he prepared for Operation Overlord, "all the thousands of things that must be done in managing an intricate human operation," he avoided reading the newspapers because "they stormed that success had gone to my head and I was not ready to risk my phony reputation on the outcome of the great battle that now alone could defeat the Germans and save democracy….I learned one lesson through all these many months and many experiences. It is that in war there is scarcely any difficulty that a good resounding victory will not cure -- temporarily. And I learned that there is a priority of procedure in the preparing for and carrying forward great tasks that the leader ignores at his peril….[I]n the hurly burly of a military campaign -- or a political effort -- loyal, effective subordinates are mandatory. To tie them to the leader with unbrealable bonds one rule must always be observwed -- Take full responsibility, promptly, for everything that remotely resembles failure -- give extravagant and public praise to all subordinates for every success. The method is slow -- buts [sic] its results endure!!"
Eisenhower assures Hughes that he does not compare Hughes' constructive comments to the criticism he has just detailed, but points out that "…much of our so-called 'public opinion' is merely a reflection of some commentator's reports which…bear little relation to the truth….it must be changed by deeds. In the political arena, success will be measured in the long term….A team of leaders is made up of people who believe in certain things -- often simple things -- very deeply. This consolidation of intellectual approach to the Administration's problems has been going on in the Cabinet and on the Hill for almost a year….I believe the right kind of team is evolving….I fully recognize that the responsibility is mine. Occasionally I must go on the air to let the people have direct knowledge of the important and comprehensive programs that are in the mill. But I also take the responsiblity for producing a legislative-executive team that will not be too dependent upon the mere presence, words, or even the counsel of the chief….If I cannot do this, there is no question that …it would have been far better had I never been put into this office. On the other hand, if I am successful, that success will have a permanence that will be far greater than if it were traceable in the public mind and in fact only to an individual."
Estimated Value $3,000 - 5,000.
Forbes Collection - Christie's New York, Oct 9, 2002, lot 207.
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| Realized $3,720 |
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