Dwight D. Eisenhower - Typed Manuscript Signed - re Importance of 25th Amendment

Description

DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER
.  Rare and significant typed manuscript signed by, “Dwight D. Eisenhower,” expressing the importance of the 25th Amendment and how it applied to his disabilities as president.  One of the original final drafts of Eisenhower’s preface to Senator Birch Bayh’s book
One Heartbeat Away: Presidential Disability and Succession
.
RARE AND SIGNIFICANT TYPED MANUSCRIPT SIGNED BY DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER EXPRESSING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE 25TH AMENDMENT
Manuscripts from Eisenhower’s works are virtually nonexistent, especially one associated to important constitutional amendment, with none having appeared at auction in the past 25 years.  The manuscript is three pages having been stapled together, measures 11 by 8.5 inches, created in circa 1967, and in pristine condition having been proofread with several corrections made throughout.
“LET ME AGAIN STRESS MY CONVICTION THAT THE PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESSION AND INABILITY REMEDIES SUPPLIED BY THE TWENTY-FIFTH AMENDMENT ARE NECESSARY IF WE ARE TO ELIMINATE THE UNSATISFACTORY METHODS WHICH HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN RELIED UPON TO GUARANTEE EXECUTIVE CONTINUITY.”
The manuscript reads in part: “The Amendment itself embraces and bridges two Constitutional gaps.  First, in keeping with our traditional constitutional notions of checks and balances, it assures that the country shall always have a Vice President.  This seems to me an important consideration, particularly when it is realized that the Vice Presidency has been vacant, for one reason or another, on sixteen different occasions for a total of more than 38 years.  But the replacement provision does more than simply settle the question of succession; it additionally ensures that there will be brought into the Presidency, in case of necessity, an individual who has had full opportunity to learn much about all of the critical problems then facing the nation.  In this manner there will always be available a man well prepared to carry out the job of President who will be in accord with the President’s views.  The President will be able to train, teach and work with him.  In short, they can develop the relationship necessary for a smooth executive transition which is so vital to the country in times of crises.  The structure of this part of the Amendment, to my mind, will provide a great added benefit to the nation.  The other vexatious problem handled successfully by the Twenty-Fifth Amendment pertains to the determination of Presidential disability.  Because of three illnesses which I experienced during my service as President, I was particularly pleased to see this matter set at rest.  Fortunately, during each of these disabilities no domestic or international crises arose and therefore no constitutional crisis was invoked.  However, because this possible peril existed, Vice President Nixon and I, in consultation with the Attorney General, prior to my 1956 operation, reduced to memorandum form our understanding as to what would be the Vice President’s role in the event of a Presidential disability.  While such agreements existed during the remainder of my administration and the administrations of President Kennedy and President Johnson, it was recognized by all that these agreements were, at best, only stopgap solutions.  It was for this reason that I personally welcomed the Amendment’s treatment of the disability problem.  Although it is conceivable that an unforeseeable circumstance might arise which this provision would not adequately handle, this should not shake our belief that the principals involved would undoubtedly be men of honor, men of integrity, men whose concern is the welfare of their country and not their own personal ambitions, and who could successfully bridge any gap that might arise.  That presumption is made in this Amendment, as it has been in other Constitutional provisions.  I believe it to be valid.  Let me again stress my conviction that the Presidential succession and inability remedies supplied by the Twenty-Fifth Amendment are necessary if we are to eliminate the unsatisfactory methods which had previously been relied upon to guarantee executive continuity.”