If MacArthur had told his men that President Truman threatened the Republic's security, I doubt if many of them would have left his side.
But MacArthur had the courage of his convictions. He stepped down to prove that he had always been fighting for democracy. He alludes to the hissing, faithless, and spineless decades ahead in this speech, and yet he holds his head high. He has faith in the American spirit, in human strength. Free men, no matter how few they may be, will always triumph over the weaker, unprincipled ones.
We have more of those days when patriots must weigh their commitments to democracy and security ahead.