Letter, President Dwight D. Eisenhower to General Alfred M. Gruenther

Newport, Rhode Island, September 24, 1957. Dear Al: It is difficult but necessary to learn that anyone in public position must expect criticism, some of it based upon stupidity and ignorance, and even at times, deliberate misrepresentation. You and 1 know that Ihad no part whatsoever in having you appointed to the head of the Red Cross. In fact, so far as I can recall, no one even asked me for a recom- mendation. We know that the Status of Forces Treaties were not negotiated independently of the military; in fact you and I were serving in the military at the time and we know that the Army was desperately anxious to get them enacted. Such knowledge as this makes you want to strike back at the perpetrators of such falsehoods. It is better, I think, to learn to ignore the Clarks and the Lewises, remembering that such people are trying to achieve headlines and have discovered that it is far easier to do it by the demagogie method of attacking something that is constructive and practical, and by appealing to emotion and prejudice. So take a relaxed stance when in the batter's box and hit them as you see theml ( 3 'o As ever, P.S.: Thanks for your suggestion that I come back to Washington. From the beginning of the Arkansas trouble I have thought about the matter, but I feel about as followa: (see page 2)