1956: Newspaper Column Reviewing Adlai Stevenson's book (he's a candidate for President against Dwight Eisenhower)

A review of Call to Greatness By Adlai E. Stevenson, Harper. 125 pages. $2.25

By Lillian Secrest Buie
Cheraw Chronicle, 1956

Regardless of how you voted in the presidential campaign of 1952, you will find the reading of this book by the defeated candidate both an enlightening and inspirational experience. In no sense is "Call to Greatness" a political tirade; in fact, one definitely misses the humorous and clever quips at the opposing party which are so much a part of the Stevenson personality.

Instead we find a clear, somewhat terrifying, but on the whole optimistic picture of the world today based on the author's recent travels through 30 countries along the free side of the Iron Curtain from Seoul to Berlin, plus a frank discussion of our responsibilities as citizens of the leading democracy in what has truly become one world.

This book is taken from the Godken Lectures delivered by the author at Harvard University in March of 1954 under the title of "A Troubled World." Stevenson presents to the students a play-by-play development of the present-day world situation in the belief that "there is more real security for Americans in understanding than in H-bombs." Protected as our people have been by natural ocean barriers since our beginnings, our new dimensions are still incomprehensible to many of us. To the average American, a successful foreign policy would be one which did not involve us in foreign affairs, the ideal being total isolation.

In explaining how to meet this responsibility, Stevenson discusses the three divisions in the world today--the communist world, the allied world, and the uncommitted world. By the first we are feared and hated; the second looks to us for aid, understanding and sober leadership; the uncommitted world, nervous, argumentative, insecure, preoccupied with difficulties, wants to remain aloof but looks to us furtively and suspiciously perhaps, for understanding and friendship.

....Our greatest asset in Asia will be our natural compassion and humility, not military power and force. The greatest lesson America has yet to learn is that of patience--a conscious acceptance of Christian humility, a recognition that we will have to learn to live with many of the hard problems of the world for years and maybe centuries.

Learn more about Adlai E. Stevenson.

Comments

[Bruce Johnson]

Stevenson was something of a hero to my parents, and once was to me - I'm afraid, perhaps unfairly, I've unconsciously adopted the revisionist (propogated by GOPers) view of him in recent years. He was
an inspiration to a generation of idealists, liberals, & internationalists - including perhaps JFK? There is a stained glass window dedicated to his memory in the Princeton University Chapel - a small, discreet one, not in the main body of the church, but rather in a corridor by steps, right by a back side entrance. However, since that entrance is the way to the chaplains' offices & the sacristy, it is a
fairly well-traveled place. The stained glass - beautiful with vivid oranges & blues - shows a tree being attacked by a storm, but surviving, & is meant to depict the enduring quality of life despite adversity.

Stevenson was a Princeton guy, as you may know, I think perhaps Class of
22. Though he was there of course after Woodrow Wilson had moved on to other places, doubtless Wilson was still a legend on campus - he HAD to have been, he was still a legend on campus in my day! - & probably inspired Adlai.

[Bruce Johnson]

Aunt Lil, that was a very interesting, precise analysis of Stevenson, and of the world in 1956, which I very much enjoyed reading. And the fascinating thing is - is the French saying, Le plus ca change, le plus la meme chose? - with a few adjustments, much of it remains true today. Though we have been the world's leading democracy for some time now, too many of us - including, I'm afraid, our very top leaders - remain rather baffled at how to meet those responsibilities. Let's hope this election in 2004 brings people with such an understanding to the fore.
Love,
Bruce

[Marie Carnes]

Dear Ms. Buie,

I just wanted you to know how much I appreciated your column on, "A Call to Greatness."

Even now, Adlai's bit about the "three divisions of the world" sends a chill up my spine.

It seems like ever so often, a need arises to examine his life, in words and deeds, as a way to figure out what's currently going on. I think this is one of those times.

Thank you,
Marie Carnes
Springfield, Ill.