Hand-corrected partial draft of Dwight D. Eisenhower's last speech from his 1956 re-election campaign, two pages, 8 x 10.5, boasting nearly 50 words in Eisenhower's hand with numerous underlines, cross-outs, and circled words. Eisenhower would deliver this address to his supporters at the Philadelphia Convention Hall on November 1, 1956. At the top, he writes: "Mr. Chairman - Sen. Duff & [My Fellow Penns., struck through], My fellow Americans." He adds the word "political" to the first line, and scrawls a complimentary note about former US Senator James H. Duff, who escorted him to the platform at the Convention Hall. On the second page, Ike inserts "though I am a party member" when speaking to his responsibility to Americans of all parties, adds "and this Administration" to the middle of the page, replaces the word "personal" with "simple," and writes "of which I speak to you tonight" at the bottom. In fine condition.
Given just five days before the 1956 presidential election, these two pages represent the beginning of a longer speech discussing the achievements and challenges of the Eisenhower administration, international geopolitics, and Eisenhower's personal commitment to America and the American way. As the incumbent president, he would go on to handily defeat Democrat Adlai Stevenson, commanding 57% of the popular vote en route to 457 electoral votes.
