Evening star., 1955-02-12
The Political Mil
Eisenhower S Crusade
Compared to LincoIn's S
Abe Had to Fight for Union;
Ike Muy Fight for Peace
The Political Mill
By Gould Lincoln


By Gould Lincoln
The Republicans today pay tribute to
Abraham Lincoln, the man who more
than any other saved the Union. He
had to fight for it.
Another Republican PreSiden mt,
Dwight Eisenhower, is now engaged in
a crusade to keep this Nation and the
world at peace-even if he has to fight
for it. Lincoln was the target Of bitter
partisan political attacks. In far less
measure-to date-Mr. Eisenhower has
become target Of the Democratic OPP
position. The President has had, how
ever, strong support from the Demo-
Gratis on vital decisions regarding the
Far East situation.
The Democratic-c Congress
voted overwhelming support Of res
olution giving the President authority
to use the country's armed forces If tine
Chinese Communists attack FormoSa.
The Democratic-controlled Senate,
under the leadership of Senator George
of Georgia. chairman of the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee, put
through the Formosa defense treaty
between the United States and the
ChinSe Nationalist government.
President Takes Lead.
Mr.. Eisenhower has taken lead in
the tribute to Abraham Lincoln. The
President, however. has not at this time
undertaken to beat the political tom
toms. His statement praised the first
PnY1Ih1irov1 procifont hYrf vrnodo
partisan attack on the Democrats.
Further, the President is taking no part
in the hundreds, of Lincoln Day dinners
which the Republicans are staging from
coast to coast. A year ago, Mr. E1sen-
hover attended the great box-supper
celebration Of the Republicans in the
National Capital. He made a Lincoln
Day film, too, distributed throughout
the country. 1t is noteworthy, also, that
Vice President Nixon is not making po-
litical speeches in this period usually
dedicated to politics by the Republicans.
The Vice President is on a good will
tour of the Central American and Car
ibbean nations.
The Republicans, however, are stag
ing the usual number of Lincoln Day
dinners from Maryland to California
and from Minnesota to Texas Speak
ers have been provided for 225 of these
celebrations through the Republican
National Committee. Three members Of
the cabinet, Attorney General Brownell.
Secretary of the Interior Mckay and
Secretary of Labor Mitchell; several
Governors and large number of Re-
publican members of Congress were in
cluded in the speakers list. These
speakers have not pulled their punches.
in the past. Their aim has been to con-
vince the people of America they have
had better and cleaner government un-
der the Eisenhower administration, that
the Republicans have reduced by billions
Government expenditures and taxes.
and that the Republicans are doing
their utmost to call halt to Big Gov
ernment in Washington, and return to
the States their proper responsibilities.
Eisenhower Praised.
With view to the presidential CAM
paign, which is to grip the country
next year. the Republican speakers are
extolling Mr. Eisenhower, although here
and there dissidents raise their voices.
Senator Duff of Pennsylvania, always a
plain speaking man, gave voice to the
vast majority opinion when he told an
audience in Oyster Bay, home of the
late President Theodore Roosevelt, that
this country sis fortunate beyond meas
ule" in having such man as Mr.. Eisen-
hover as Chief Executive at this critical
time. Senator Duff declared that Mr..
Eisenhower did not undertake his great
responsibilities out of personal ambition,
but solely from devoted sense of duty.
A like sense of devotion to duty, the
Pennsylvania Senator predicted, will
cause the President to stand for re-elec-
ton when call from the people reaches
him.
This. indeed, is the growing belief and
hope of Republicans and many other
voters in many parts of the country.
Like Lincoln, Senator Duff pointed out,
Mr.. Eisenhower came from the COM
mon people" and has kept himself in
touch with their aspirations and prob
lens. Senator Duff concluded: To-day, .
as in the days of Lincoln, and in the
words of Lincoln, Let us have faith that
right makes might and in that faith
let us to the end dare to do our duty
as we understand it," That, Senator
Duff said. lis our obligation under the
magnificent leadership of the Presi-
dent" "a.