<--PREV Doc #1137  |  Memorial Commission Home Page  |  First Term Table of Contents  |  Presidential Papers Home Page  |  Doc#  |  NEXT--> Doc #1139 Document #1138; November 2, 1954 To Alfred Maximilian Gruenther Series: EM, AWF, Administration Series The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower, Volume XV - The Presidency: The Middle Way Part VI: Crises Abroad, Party Problems at Home; September 1954 to December 1954 Chapter 13: "A new phase of political experience"   Dear Al:1 I can imagine the anguish of soul that was yours when you read the letter of which you quoted portions in yours of the thirtieth. On the whole, however, I am of the opinion that it may be well to encourage such ideas--in the long run, it should be very profitable.2 Incidentally, I have often to listen to variations of the same theme. Here, of course, the refrain is rendered as a duet, in which the exaggerations are fully as noticeable as the obvious immodesty.3 I can think of nothing that can possibly rescue us from the unfortunate situation except patience. "Just wait" must be our watchword! As for the politics, it is now 2:30 Washington time, on election day. To show you just how nervous I am, I am compelled to tell you that the day's significance had completely slipped my mind until I read your letter.4 Now I am reminded that I must go over to the house of one of the Cabinet members this evening to listen to results. I would far rather go to bed.5 This does not mean that I am indifferent to the outcome. Of course I'm not! But I have done all that I properly could to affect the outcome and, so far as I am personally concerned, my work for the next two years will be difficult, no matter who wins. Naturally, any human likes to see hard work crowned with the maximum possible measure of success. In American political life, such is possible only when the Executive and Legislative groups of leaders are of the same political Party. However, as I just stated, my personal task will be one of driving, arguing, working--and I don't intend to complain about it, no matter what happens.6 From this distance, it looks to me now as if the answer to the European problem will probably be written in German. Adenauer has a tough situation. I do not believe that anyone else could have done as well as he up to this point; now it is a question whether even he can bring about the desired result.7 My feeling is that the people of the whole free world had better pray for him with all the strength they have. Today we have our first spell of weather that could really be classed as a dreary autumn day. It is cold, cloudy, and with some rain. You are well acquainted with Washington under such conditions. I trust that your own bad summer is now being balanced by a lovely fall. Give my love to Grace. As ever 1 A copy of this letter, with Eisenhower's handwritten changes, is in AWF/Drafts. 2 Gruenther had quoted George Allen, a good friend and frequent opponent of Supreme Allied Commander Gruenther and Eisenhower at the bridge table. Commenting on what had been characterized as his "insufferable arrogance" concerning bridge, Allen had explained that, "If, on occasion, I should seem to reflect a feeling of superiority, I see nothing immodest about that--since it is simply the result of my complete command of the game" (Gruenther to Eisenhower, Oct. 30, 1954, AWF/A). "I don't mind telling you that the foregoing paragraphs annoy me greatly," Gruenther had written. "It would please me very much if you could inform me that you had taken this impertinent youngster over the jumps to the tune of about 75 points some evening." 3 Eisenhower is probably referring to William Robinson, who often played bridge with Allen and him. For more on the bridge rivalry see no. 1173. 4 Gruenther had written that Eisenhower would "be heavily engaged in political contemplations of a profound nature" when he received his letter, and added, "I am pulling for you and your cause. . . . But," he said, "if the result should go sour I am certain that your philosophical attitude is already formulated. My confidence in you is such that I think you will be a whale of a success even if the Chinese win the mid-term elections in the U.S." 5 President and Mrs. Eisenhower would have dinner with Treasury Secretary Humphrey; later, they would visit Defense Secretary Wilson. 6 The net gain for the Democrats would be two seats in the Senate and seventeen in the House of Representatives, giving them a majority in both houses. For Eisenhower's assessment of the off-year election and his efforts during the campaign see Eisenhower, Mandate for Change, pp. 428-42; see also Reichard, Reaffirmation of Republicanism, pp. 213-17. 7 Eisenhower's remarks may have been prompted by Gruenther's reference to two speeches he was to make in Oslo. German sovereignty had been restored on October 23 and provisions had been made for the entrance of the Federal Republic into NATO (see no. 1087). On October 27-30 Adenauer had been in Washington for discussions with Eisenhower and Dulles concerning reunification and rearmament. The German Socialist party opposed rearming Germany before talks on reunification took place; the Free Democrats, second largest party in Adenauer's coalition, objected to the recently signed Saar agreement between Germany and France (see no. 1198). On the Washington meetings see State, Foreign Relations, 1952-1954, vol. VII, Germany and Austria, pt. 1, pp. 593-610; see also New York Times, Oct. 28, 29, 1954. Bibliographic reference to this document: Eisenhower, Dwight D. To Alfred Maximilian Gruenther, 2 November 1954. In The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower, ed. L. Galambos and D. van Ee, doc. 1138. World Wide Web facsimile by The Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission of the print edition; Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1996, http://www.eisenhowermemorial.org/presidential-papers/first-term/documents/1138.cfm <--PREV Doc #1137  |  Memorial Commission Home Page  |  First Term Table of Contents  |  Presidential Papers Home Page  |  Doc#  |  NEXT--> Doc #1139

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