National Affairs: Act of Humiliation

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"There were also personal reasons," Acheson read on. "One must be true to the things by which one lives . . . The consequences of living with a decision which one knows has sprung from timidity and cowardice go to the roots of one's life . . . Mr. Hiss is in the greatest trouble in which a man could be ... It is in regard to a man in this situation that I referred to Christ's words setting forth compassion as the highest of Christian duties and as the highest quality in the sight of God . . .

"But for the benefit of those who would create doubt where none existed, I will accept the humiliation of stating what should be obvious, that I did not and do not condone in any way the offenses charged, whether committed by a friend or by a total stranger, and that I would never knowingly tolerate any disloyal person in the Department of State."

When he had finished, Acheson abruptly tossed his manuscript on the table with an air of relief. Nobody pushed him further. But next day his good friend, the Washington Post, summed up the statement editorially: "There is nothing in it which persuades us to change our view of either the impropriety or the unwisdom of [his first statement]. In the public interest this wretched and subordinate incident should be closed."