Draft of Eisenhower’s “Communism and Freedom” Speech Defending General George C. Marshall (1952)

Date: October 3, 1952

Created By: Dwight D. Eisenhower and James Hagerty

Original or Replica: Original

Era: The Presidency, The Cold War, Elections and Politics

Collection: Eisenhower Presidential Library

Citations: Stephen Benedict Papers, Box 4, 10-3-52 Milwaukee, Wisconsin (1); NAID #16614761

This document is the sixth draft of a campaign speech titled “Communism and Freedom,” prepared for General Dwight D. Eisenhower during the 1952 presidential campaign. The page contains extensive handwritten edits and revisions, illustrating the careful drafting process behind one of Eisenhower’s most important speeches on anti-communism, civil liberties, and political leadership.

In this portion of the draft, Eisenhower argues that defending freedom requires respecting the rights and integrity of fellow citizens, including those with whom one disagrees. He specifically addresses accusations leveled against General George C. Marshall, asserting that while individuals may question another person’s judgment, they have no right to attack that person’s honor without evidence. Drawing upon his personal relationship with Marshall during World War II, Eisenhower praises him as a selfless patriot whose service to the nation exemplified the highest ideals of military leadership. The numerous handwritten revisions demonstrate Eisenhower’s effort to strengthen his defense of Marshall while refining his broader message that America must reject character assassination and uphold the principles of freedom it seeks to defend. However, this paragraph was not included in the final draft of the speech.