Sale 2461 - Autographs, November 7, 2017

ORGANIZING A RECEPTION FOR PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE STEVENSON 109 c   KENNEDY, JOHN F. Typed Letter Signed, “John Kennedy,” as Representative, to “Dear Millie,” asking her to serve as hostess at a reception for Governor Adlai E. Stevenson. 1 page, small 4to, “House of Representatives” stationery; short closed tear in upper edge at right, horizontal folds. Washington, 17 October 1952 [700/1,000] “. . .We in Massachusetts will have an opportunity to demonstrate the high regard in which we hold the able and courageous Governor Stevenson on the evening of October 25 when we receive him at a monster reception at Mechanics Building, Boston . . . . “. . . I would deeply appreciate your being a hostess on that occasion. My sisters Pat, Eunice and Jean will be on hand to work with you and all will gather in the Reception Room . . . [where] you will receive your hostess sashes and your instructions. . . .” Stevenson delivered a presidential campaign speech on the evening of October 25, 1952 at the Mechan- ics Building in Boston. Overshadowing Stevenson’s speech, however, was the address published in newspapers that morning and delivered in Detroit the day before by his Republican opponent, Dwight D. Eisenhower, who pledged:“I shall go to Korea” to “learn how best to serve the American people in the cause of peace.” Many have suggested that the powerful impact of Eisenhower’s speech decided his victory in November.