Description:

Dwight D. Eisenhower
Washington, D.C., October 18, 1958
Dwight D. Eisenhower TLS as Pres., Makes Pitch for Republican Party
TLS
Dwight Eisenhower typed letter signed, making a campaign pitch for the Republican Party three weeks before the congressional election of 1958. 3pp, measuring 7.25" x 10.5", Washington, D.C., dated October 18, 1958. On White House stationery, signed "DE" and addressed to Jay Gould in New York. With the original envelope and with a one page typewritten manuscript headed "Accomplishments," all on White House stationery. The letter and typed manuscript have flattened mail folds. The envelope has dampstaining at one side and expected wear. Letter is boldly signed, very fine.

Reading in part:
"As I am on my way to the West Coast on a political trip, I have just realized that I have not had, as I had hoped, an opportunity to talk to you about what I consider to be the vital and basic issues for which Republicans are fighting in 1958. Because I am so convinced of the necessity that the Republican programs, in which we both deeply believe, are maintained and furthered, I send you this note to ask your help in the final weeks that are left to us. Here then-as briefly as possible-are the reasons I hope the voters of America-Republican, Independent and discerning Democrats-will assure that the 86th Congress is solidly Republican in character. In the first place I stand squarely on the record of this Administration. It is a good record. It reflects a growing America-prosperous and at peace. America must and can stay prosperous and at peace.

Secondly, if we do not have a Congress that is guided by the basic principles in which we believe, the bright promise of this nation's future will be dimmed or will disappear… a mounting Federal budget, with increasing Federal deficits and the inevitable cheapened dollar means more trouble for the household budget, and is immediately translated into less food, less clothing, poorer housing and less security for the future of the individual family…

Thirdly, I believe strongly, as I have so often stated, that government should do for the people only what they cannot well do for themselves. The Federal government can and should always be ready to extend a helping and guiding hand, no matter what major problem may confront the American people, but it should not ever attempt to provide the complete solution for any problem that properly belongs to individual localities or states. I do not want my grandchildren to become wards of a welfare state…"

Eisenhower did not believe in strong executive leadership of the federal government and delegated authority to his advisers and Cabinet members. During his presidency, his domestic program called for reduced taxes, balanced budgets, a decrease in government control over the economy, and the return of certain federal responsibilities to the states. The needs of an expanding population and the country's overseas commitments caused budget deficits during five out of eight years. The minimum wage was increased to $1 per hour, the Social Security system was broadened, and in the spring of 1953 the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare was created. Hundreds of federal employees were fired under his expanded loyalty-security program, relative to the anti-Communist hysteria. The Civil Rights Act of 1957 was passed under his administration. NASA was created in July 1958, after he was criticized for failing to develop a space program (the Soviets had launched Sputnik I in October 1957). Although the recession in the fall of 1957 lasted through the following summer, Eisenhower refused to lower taxes or increase federal spending to ease the slump for fear of fueling inflation.

In foreign affairs, he worked hard at achieving peace and constructing collective defense agreements designed to check the spread of Communism. Partly, perhaps, because of Joseph Stalin's death in March, he was able to negotiate a truce for the Korean War in July 1953. In December of that year, he proposed that the countries of the world pool atomic information and materials under the auspices of an international agency. This "Atoms for Peace" suggestion bore fruit in 1957, when sixty-two counties formed the International Atomic Energy Agency. His "open-skies" proposal of July 1955, by which the United States and the Soviet Union would permit continuous air inspection of each other's military installations, was welcomed by world opinion but was rejected by the U.S.S.R. In September 1954, he succeeded in creating the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATPO) to prevent further Communist expansion in that part of the world. NATO was strengthened in 1955 by the inclusion of West Germany.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 7.25" x 10.5"
  • Medium: TLS

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