Previous image preload Next image preload
Back to catalog
Lot 116
image_0 image_1 image_2 image_3 image_4 image_5 image_6 image_7 image_8 image_9 image_10 image_11 image_12 image_13 image_14 image_15 image_16 image_17 image_18 image_19
Reagan Referencing Slavery - "Liberty and freedom for all men was at stake" - & Lincoln, 19pp, Handwritten, Annotated & Signed Speech, 1981
Reagan Referencing Slavery - "Liberty and freedom for all men was at stake" - & Lincoln, 19pp, Handwritten, Annotated & Signed Speech, 1981
image_0 image_1 image_2 image_3 image_4 image_5 image_6 image_7 image_8 image_9 image_10 image_11 image_12 image_13 image_14 image_15 image_16 image_17 image_18 image_19
Description:

Ronald Reagan
Washington, D.C., July 3, 1981
Reagan Referencing Slavery - "Liberty and freedom for all men was at stake" - & Lincoln, 19pp, Handwritten, Annotated & Signed Speech, 1981
TM
A superb speech of Ronald Reagan, comprising four pages in holograph and 15 typed pages heavily corrected and annotated in his hand, 19pp. in total, 8.5" x 11", Washington, July 3, 1981. Titled "Address by the President: GOP Fundraiser/Sons of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois, July 7, 1981." The final version of this speech was given at the Citizens for Thompson fundraising dinner for Governor James R. Thompson at 7:58 p.m. in the Main Exhibit Hall at McCormick Place, Chicago. Blind paperclip impressions at top left corner, and in overall fine condition. Impeccable provenance as this item comes from the files of Helene von Damm (b. 1938) Reagan's longtime personal secretary and later Ambassador to Austria, gifted to our consignor her White House assistant.

The speech opens: "…From one Windy City to another - & Wash. doesn't have a Lake to blame for the wind. That isn't all we have in common. Your Mayor moved into public housing to draw attention to the conditions there, so did I for the same reasons. Back a few years ago & I'm not going to say how many, I used to broadcast Chi. Cubs games. Now of course there is a baseball strike, but every dark cloud has a silver lining. For almost a months now, the Cubs haven't lost a game. But tonight we are here to honor a big man in Illinois, now there is no doubt that Jim Thompson is tall. But Jim built his fame & a different kind of size as a courageous prosecutor, fighting corruption in places people said could never be rid of it. He restored the people's faith in those who hold their trust in public office, and sought justice in Government in the name of the governed…He has been one of our strongest supporters in the fight to cut Federal spending…We pledged to end the unnecessary intrusions of Government into the everyday lives of working Americans. We pledged to end disrespect for America abroad…We…stand by our commitment to get Government under control…We are keeping that pledge…We have moved to reinvigorate our private institutions and to renew the confidence of the American people…[here Reagan inserts "P. 3A", which is in holograph] Some in the press have been overly concerned because I haven't made a quote, major foreign policy address unquote. Their automatic assumption is that until I do, we don't have a foreign policy. Well to begin with I just don't happen to believe it is necessary to spell out in detail and in advance a formula which will guide our every move in international relations. Basically good foreign policy is the use of good common sense in dealing with friends and potential adversaries. We know where we're going & think it might be counterproductive to make a speech about it…"]

The speech continues in typescript: "We have laid the foundation for a long-range build-up of our armed forces, bringing us nearer the day when Americans can once again enjoy a margin of safety and peace will be made more secure…[here Reagan inserts "Insert 1 - P. 4", in holograph] I received a letter the other day from an enlisted man in our Navy. He wrote that he was speaking for his almost 200 shipmates. 'I'm beginning to see a rebirth through the Navy of pride & professionalism,' he wrote. 'It feels good to be an American again. We may not be the biggest Navy in the world but we certainly are the best.']."

Continuing in typescript: "…At home and abroad - in less than six months - we've worked quietly and effectively to set our agenda, & give priority to our problems, addressing them head-on…Last year we were deeply distressed about the direction our country had taken…The moment that the House affirmed the Gramm-Latta budget resolution and the people at least began to regain control of their Government -- there were some immediate cries of pain. It was even said I was trying to destroy America…Inflation rates of 18 percent, unemployment rates of more than 7 percent, interest rates of 20 percent and mortgage rates of 15 percent did not just begin on the afternoon of Jan. 20, 1981…[here Reagan inserts "P. 6A", is in holograph, and also initials it in green ink at top left] They began when the nation started down the path of govt. intervention of 'tax & tax, spend & spend, elect & elect'…So-called entitlement programs -- the redistribution of funds from one group of citizens to another has risen by 453% in the last 13 years, going from $63 Bil. to $346 Bil. in the budget proposed for 1982. We call for reducing that 1982 amount by 5.3% -- $18.2 Bil…I submit that a 5.3% reduction of funding for those programs can be made without paralyzing the truly needy…The reduction is based on knowledge of recipients who are unfairly receiving benefits through loopholes and loose management of entitlement funds…We Americans are a generous compassionate people and no particular regiment of our society has a monopoly on those traits. Jim Thompson, Bob Michel and all the others who have been leading & helping secure the budget reductions in the Gramm-Latta bill have compassion for those who must be helped. They also have compassion for those long suffering Americans…"

Resuming in typescript: "…The American people are taking their lives and their livelihoods back into their own hands…We have begun the job. But this is no time for rest…to reduce the encapsulating tax burden that is crushing the spirit of enterprise. Our punishing tax structure has the effect of discouraging people from earning more, taking away incentives to work harder and accept more responsibility…This always happens when policy makers lose faith…The problems with the American economy are not the fault of the American people…Consumers and businessmen are making decisions based on how to avoid burdensome and unnecessary regulations and punitive measures…Our proposal is not a rich man's windfall of some have falsely charged. It is fair, it is equitable and it is compassionate and 3/4 of the relief will go to those who are laying just about 3/4 of the tax…The bipartisan tax bill that we support includes a 25 percent, across-the-board marginal rate cut over a 3 year period, a reduction in the marriage penalty, estate and gift taxes, and elimination of any estate tax for a surviving spouse, a reduction in investment income tax from 70 to 50 percent and incentives for business such as an accelerated cost recovery system…There are those who oppose the bipartisan tax cut because frankly they are afraid the govt will lose revenue. Somehow that doesn't strike me as a nat. disaster…President Kennedy put it very well when he said that 'an economy hampered by restrictive taxes will never produce enough revenue to balance our budget.' You know I'm tired of hearing our opponents justify their opposition by saying they are the party of the working people…But today [in holograph] there is a disenchantment with the leadership of the Democratic Party by millions of patriotic Dem's who see that leadership stubbornly clinging to the belief that only more & bigger Government is the answer to our problems…It is significant that at last year's Natl Dem. Convention an inordinate percentage of delegates were not rank and file working people but public employees who had a personal stake in continued big govt…"

In typescript: "…Which really is the party of the people?...Carl Sandburg wrote of the days when our Party was formed, tense and restless days of growth in the 1850s. America was torn by the issue of slavery. Neighbors were turning against neighbors in Kansas and Missouri. Liberty and freedom for all men was at stake…Illinois delegates met in Bloomington in Major's Hall, upstairs over a store near the courthouse square. All…were there: Whigs, bolting Democrats, Free-Soilers, and Abolitionists…Lincoln…observed 'We were [sic] in a trying time' and that unless popular opinion made itself very strongly felt and a change was made as he put it in 'our present course' the Nation would turn against itself. He gave the convention a rousing speech that was the tongue and voice of those present against slavery, but a speech about liberty and freedom…[here Reagan inserts "2 Insert - Page 14", in holograph] Later a delegate to the 1st Nat. Convention of the new party where Lincoln had been nominated for Pres. reporting on the convention to the folks back home said: 'We kept in mind that the Rep Party had sprung from the indignation of the people, and had gained it's [sic] strength by the uprising of the popular heart for the great positive ideas; that it is a party of volunteers held together not by drill & command, but by the moral power of a great common cause…"

Continuing in typescript: "…Ours is that Party still building and expanding a coalition drawn from the heart of this land, a coalition that will again change a course we've been on for far too many years…We believe tomorrow will be better, we are willing to take a chance on ourselves…".

James T. "Jim" Thompson (1936-2020) served as the 37th Governor of Illinois from 1977-1991. "Big Jim" was the longest-serving governor of that state. Like Reagan, he was a moderate Republican and was best remembered for his initiative "Build Illinois," a massive public works program designed to deal with the state's crumbling infrastructure, disappearing jobs and shrinking tax base. "Build Illinois" led to $2 billion in new capital construction across the state, the centerpiece of which was the Illinois State Library across the street from the Capitol building in Springfield. The program created needed jobs, but left the state with more debt to be repaid over many years. However, his most popular achievement may have been obtaining the funds to build a new White Sox stadium and prevent the team from leaving for St. Petersburg, Florida.

Two days before this speech, Reagan gave remarks at the White House reception for the RNC. He stated in the same spirit: " …I know you've heard some of the arguments that they're using over on the other side about why we shouldn't do this, and you've probably run into some of them yourself. And when they do, just tell them that our true choice is not between tax reduction on the one hand and avoidance of large Federal deficits on the other. An economy that's stifled by restrictive tax rates will never produce enough revenue to balance the budget, just as it will never produce enough jobs or enough profits. And when they try to argue that one with you, remind them that's what John F. Kennedy said when he passed his 2-year, 23-percent tax cut. It wound up with an increase in personal savings, an increase in investment, an increase in productivity and jobs, and even an increase in the total amount of revenues that the Federal Government received at the lower rates. And that's what we think is going to happen when we get our tax cut across the board…".

The Recovery Tax Act of 198 was passed two months later, in August 1981. It brought reductions in individual income tax rates, the expensing of depreciable property, incentives for small businesses, and incentives for savings. Five years later, Reagan introduced the Tax Reform Act of 1986 which brought the lowest individual and corporate income tax rates of any major industrialized country in the world.

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.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

  • Dimensions: 8.5" x 11"
  • Medium: TM

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Unless otherwise indicated, we do our own in-house worldwide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses who proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with signature required, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice. If any changes to the shipping address need to be made, you must inform us immediately.***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third Party Shipping Option: If a third party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third party. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third party shippers.

After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 10 business days following receipt of full payment for item.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

August 7, 2024 10:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000