The Years Ahead

As Dwight Eisenhower wound up three weeks and 6,860 miles of campaigning by plane and train last week, one sobering prospect appeared to lie uppermost in his mind. For other Republicans there would be more prop-stops and politicking in the years to come. But for him, 1958 marked the last campaign in which his own position was at stake, in which his own concerns could be affected. Propelled by that thought, the President dwelled often and with great earnestness on his remaining two years in the White House, on the legacy of achievement he hoped that those two years would provide.

"Like some of the other people who are now retiring voluntarily, within two years I retire whether it's voluntary or not," he ad-libbed to a Manhattan rally of Citizens for Eisenhower-Nixon. "So I am interested in good government and I think you can understand that my interest is: For America. There can be nothing else." Same day, before an audience of Republican organization regulars, Ike took a step toward reducing the hot-blooded partisanship that elections inspire. "If we join hands," he said, "regardless of religion and race and geography and any other divisive type of influence, if we join hands to try to push forward in the atmosphere, in the kind of teachings that we have learned in our homes, in our schools and in our experience, then in my mind the U.S. will not only always be the U.S. but it will be one that will be recognizable by your descendants."

But it was before a sparse crowd of 3,500, hardly half filling Baltimore's cavernous Fifth Regiment Armory to hear his final campaign speech that the President spelled out his two-year hopes in detail. Promised he solemnly: "Looking ahead, we will:

P: Continue to seek equality of opportunity for all citizens, irrespective of race, color, creed or geography;

P: Continue to practice efficiency, economy and integrity in government.

P: Push reasonable legislation to redevelop economically impaired areas, undertake needed tax reforms, stand for sound fiscal management.

P: Help our working men and women drive racketeers and hoodlums out of the American labor movement.

P: And, finally, with all other Americans, strive to bring a just and lasting peace to the world."

Half a continent away in Bonham, Texas, at the same time, another Washington prime mover was also scrutinizing the near future. From where he stood, Sam Rayburn could see in it a Democratic Congress and another term (his ninth) as Speaker of the House. But he saw as well something of the same aims and ends that motivated Dwight Eisenhower. Therefore, said Mr. Sam, there will not be "bad blood" between the President and the new Congress. "We're not going to hate Eisenhower bad enough for us to change our principles."

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