January 2015 Auction Ends Thursday, January 29th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/29/2015
Spirited autograph letter signed by former President Harry S. Truman to his former Secretary of State Dean Acheson, with Truman expressing his unguarded opinions on the New Deal, the Eisenhower administration and ''professional'' politicians. Written from Truman's post-presidential home in Independence, Missouri upon his personal stationery, 31 October 1958 letter reads in full: ''Dear Dean / You'll never know how very much I appreciated your letter of Oct 24 from King's College at Cambridge. There's no way in the world for you to offend me - even if you'd hit me in the nose. I was very much afraid the offender had been this old man. You know national political approaches are somewhat complicated. Especially is that true in foreign affairs and the touch and soft feelings down south. When we have a Secretary of State whose experience has been in northern Indiana and Michigan State you can see what we are up against to maintain somewhat of a balance for the welfare of the whole country. 'Professional liberals' are a pain in the neck to me as are 'professional conservatives'. To make them understand that the welfare of the whole country and the leadership of the free world is more important than some crazy local idea, is more important & is a chore for honest to god leadership. We just have not had that since 1952. To the so called conservatives high interest rates - make the money lenders more bloated, make the borrowers not only subject to increased fundamental rates, but to commissions and palm grease for the leader -- well you can see what happens. The Home Owners Loan Corp. bought out all the busted homeowners in the end with a profit. The Federal Housing adm. gave the small family a chance to own a little farm. The Reconstructive Finance Corp. gave the little business man a chance to run without losing his financial throat cut by a greedy banker when his inventory was too large. Andrew Mellon taught me that lesson in 1922 when he broke me and thousands of others just like me. Now are you bored enough? I get so steamed up when I view what these executive numb skulls have done to a foreign policy that you and I left to them and a domestic policy that took twenty long years of sweat, blood and tears to establish. I hope that Alice will still plead my case in spite of the Irish! How I would like to see you both. Just talked to the 'Boss' and she wants to be remembered to both you and Alice. When you want the next spasm just call for it. Sincerely / Harry''. Also included is the typed letter from Acheson to Truman dated 24 October 1958, to which Truman references. 3pp. letter measures 7.25'' 10.5''. Staple marks and light toning. Near fine.
Fantastic, Fiery Harry Truman ALS, to Dean Acheson in 1958 -- ''...I get so steamed up when I view what these executive numb skulls have done to a foreign policy that you and I left to them...''
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