Evening star., 1961-01-18
HdiI-ond FAREWELL

President Eisenhower's valedictory,
II 1t may properly be called that, was
fully in keeping with the character of
the man.
1t was farewell address counseling
dedication to duty, self-reStraint, the
application Of common sense to all of
the problems which face us, and, finally,
recognition that the most pressing Of
these problems have not been solved and
probably will not be for long time to
come.
These admonitions are a faithful
rejection Of the essential characteristics
OF the man whose eight years in the
White House are now drawing to close.
They tell much Of the nature of his per-
formance as Chief Executive. That per-
torrance, Of course, has had its critics.
Some Of the criticism has been mean,
epiteful, small-minded, even dishonest.
These critics, however, can be and in the
long sweep Of history will be ignored.
Other critics have pitched their COM
plants on higher ground. They have
recognized that Mr.. Eisenhower set for
himself goals that were worthy, and
have limited their criticism to condem-
nation Of the means and methods en-
ployed in the effort to attain the
objectiveS. To what extent has the
Eisenhower effort, especially his major
effort in behalf Of a peaceful world, been
successful? Surely, no one can say now.
Time and the unfolding of events will
be required for any true measurement.
And even then the question Of the de-
gree Of Mr.. Eisenhower's success or
failure will have to be appraised against
the point Of whether, given the nature
OF the world during the past eight years,
someone else might have done better or
worse.
These things must be left for the
historians. About all that can safely
be said now is that the popular judg-
ment Is an overwhelming Endorsement
OF Mr. Eisenhower, the man, and Mr..
Eisenhower, the President. The proof
Is abundant. It can be found b his
election triumphs - overwhelming in
1852 and even more so In 1856, despite
two serious illnesses. Undoubtedly, had
he wanted to run again and had it not
been for the 22nd Amendment, he would
have been reelected last year. He has
always been vastly stronger at the polls
than his party. And If one may Judge
from the unrestrained enthusiasm with
which he was received on some of his
trips abroad, most Of the worlds people
share our American judgment.
This is not an accident, nor is it
something to be attributed to a smile
- q r. iock
from belief, feeling, that the driving
force in this mans life has been con-
cept Of public service, from conviction
that Dwight Eisenhower, after half a
century devoted to his country, is above
the temptations of small ambition and
the urgings Of self-serving motives.
AS he bade farewell TO the Ameri-
can people last evening, Mr.. Eisenhower
confessed to "sense of disappoint-
ment" over the meager progress, If in
deed there has been any progress, in
disarmament. A lasting peace, he con-
ceded, is not in sight-all he could say
was that war has been avoided Mani
festly, in some degree, this bears the
mark Of failures For peace, the search
for peace, has had the highest priority
on the Eisenhower agenda.
Now this awesome task, upon which
rides the future of mankind, passes to
other hands. Whether Mr.. Kennedy can
do better, whether he will be able to
discover some surer approaches, we do
not know. But all Americans, surely,
join the President in wishing him God
speed-just as they will join in extend
Ing to Mr. Eisenhower their thanks for
his efforts in his country's behalf and
their warmest best wishes for the years
which remain to him.