Channels, Fall 2020

Page 62 Caldwell • Eisenhower Eisenhower, after consulting with both Sherman Adams and Attorney General Herbert Brownell, tried to rein in Faubus discreetly. He corresponded with him several times and eventually met with the governor in person, hoping to convince Faubus of the need for avoiding a showdown between the President and a governor. Unfortunately, the subtly worded telegrams and personal meeting were ineffective, and Faubus continued with his course, directly defying the President’s wish for him to back down. On September 20, a federal district court issued an injunction against Faubus, ordering he “halt his obstructionism.” 81 Faubus complied by removing the Arkansas National Guard but proceeded to incite the angry gathering to action via a “fervent prayer that the mob would n ot come out to the school… and instigate any trouble.” 82 Of course, the mob followed Faubus’ sly suggestion, causing violent chaos when the black students came to school Monday morning. At this point, Eisenhower still hoped that he would not have to deploy troops to the school, but issued a stern warning that “federal law cannot be flouted with impunity by any individual or mob of extremists,” making it clear that he would use force if necessary. 83 The next day, September 24, 1957, marks “one of the most significant dates” of Eisenhower’s presidency. The mob payed no heed to Eisenhower’s warning, causing even more disorder than on the previous day. Eisenhower determined it was time to enforce his words with action. It is at this moment that Eisenhower “lived up to his oath of office.” 84 He had taken an oath to uphold the law, no matter the circumstances, and that is exactly what he was doing. He was not pleased it had come to this point, but he understood the necessity of his next action. Eisenhower told Brownel l that if he had to use force, he was going to “use overwhelming force,” and he instructed the Army’s Chief of Staff, General Maxwell Taylor, to deploy units of the 101st Airborne to Little Rock. 85 Additionally, he issued an executive order that effectively federalized the Arkansas National Guard and commanded them to join the 101st. Over 1,000 troops arrived by 7:00 pm that evening, deploying around the circumference of the high school. This was a hard moment for Eisenhower. It “pained him greatly” that So utherners perceived his actions to be undertaken in extreme opposition to the South, and he was upset that Faubus had placed him in this position. Yet he understood that it was necessary. He had tried a multitude of other paths, hoping that he wouldn’t hav e to use the force his authority as President granted him, but also staunchly holding that he would if needed. In the aftermath of the events of September 24th, he addressed the nation, expressing his sadness over the situation at hand. He purposely did not address the merits of the crisis of Little Rock, but instead spoke about his duty to fulfill “his oath to defend the Constitution.” 81 Ibid, 367. 82 Ibid, 368. 83 Ibid, 369. 84 Ambrose, Eisenhower: Volume 2, 421. 85 Ibid, 369.