Presidential Papers, Doc#841 To Douglas McCrae Black, 3 September 1958. In The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower
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Doc #842

Document #841; September 3, 1958
To Douglas McCrae Black
Series: EM, WHCF, Official File 101-Y
The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower, Volume XIX - The Presidency: Keeping the Peace
Part V: Forcing the President's Hand; June 1958 to October 1958
Chapter 13: Quemoy and Matsu

 

Dear Doug: Many thanks for your good note of the twenty-ninth. Actually Daisy did nothing more than delay my departure for Newport and the last three days here have been, weather-wise, ideal. I have managed, in addition, to get more time to myself than ever before, although of course I have to keep in close touch by telephone with Washington.1

I am quite naturally gratified that you feel there is in the atmosphere a greater spirit of confidence than the American people had a few months, or a year, ago.2 One of my friends recently complained to me about a feeling of "hopelessness" that he said permeated, especially, the Republican party. My answer in part was that I can never permit myself to feel hopeless about anything, even problems that seemingly defy solution.3 By contrast, your report sets about restoring my equilibrium.

I think Nelson will make a splendid, vigorous campaign, and I hope very much he will emerge the winner. Do help him in every way possible.4

With affectionate regard to Maudie and, as always, the best to yourself, As ever

1 Black had feared that Hurricane Daisy, the first hurricane tracked from the Caribbean to New England by radar, would spoil the President's vacation (same file as document; on Daisy see Ann Whitman memorandum, Aug. 29, 1958, AWF/AWD, and New York Times, Sept. 13, 1958). Newport could be lovely in the late summer, Black said, but Eisenhower brought his "own climate, unfortunately, regardless of the weather." Black was referring to the desegregation crisis in Little Rock, Arkansas (see no. 833). The Eisenhowers had left Washington, D.C., on August 29.

2 Black had praised the President's recent "noted accomplishments," which had stimulated the confidence of Americans. Referring to Eisenhower's U.N. speech as "one of the great papers of our time," Black said he thought world opinion was becoming more favorably disposed to the United States (on the address see no. 800). He also complimented the Administration's handling of the economic situation (see nos. 784 and 831) and called Eisenhower's agricultural program "a great success for the country and the farmer" (see no. 831). He went on to note the President's accomplishments in the Mideast (see no. 800); defense reorganization, and foreign aid (see no. 802); international trade (see no. 831); and atomic testing (see no. 827).

3 This was Cliff Roberts. Eisenhower's reply to him is the following document.

4 For background on Nelson Rockefeller's nomination as the Republican candidate for Governor of New York see no. 830. Eisenhower's congratulatory letter to him is no. 922.

Bibliographic reference to this document:
Eisenhower, Dwight D. To Douglas McCrae Black, 3 September 1958. In The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower, ed. L. Galambos and D. van Ee, doc. 841. 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/second-term/documents/841.cfm

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