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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
'I Do the Very Best I Know How...'
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

'I Do the Very Best I Know How...'

Artifact ID1973.1.2183
Object Type Cartoon Drawing
Date ca. September 1967
Medium Ink and grease pencil on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 14 in x W 11 1/4 in (35.6 cm x 28.6 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. LBJ stands with the spirit of a man (identifiable as Abraham Lincoln) looking down. Caption: “'I Do the Very Best I Know How--The Best I Can;--If the End Brings Me Out All Right, What Is Said Against Me Won't Amount to Anything. If the End Brings Me Out Wrong, Ten Angels Swearing I Was Right Would Make No Difference'”. Artist signature lower right: "F. Morse and Bill Hearst”.
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at lower right: [blue] "In appreciation,".
Historical NoteLyndon Johnson received criticism from Democrats and Republicans over the Vietnam War. The war ended up dividing the Democrat party, and many Democrats blamed Johnson for the war and criticized him for it while others supported Johnson’s policies. Many Republicans also opposed the Vietnam War. In 1967 Anti-war Republicans released the White Paper on Vietnam that pointed to the high loss of life, unpopularity, and expenses caused by the Vietnam War. Like other critics of the Vietnam War, Republicans criticized the credibility gap, the lack of disclosure to the media about the Vietnam War, and extended its meaning to skepticism about other policies.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteThe item was a gift from the general public to President Johnson during his term in office. It was received by President Johnson, until the President donated it to the Lyndon B Johnson Presidential Library in 1973.
Credit LineGift of Lyndon Baines Johnson
National Archives Catalog CollectionLyndon B. Johnson Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 192413)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts from the General Public (National Archives Identifier 189698395)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - Fully
Use Restriction NoteCopyright or other proprietary rights are held by individuals or entities other than the LBJ Presidential Library and Museum. The LBJ Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62.
Person Referenced William Randolph Hearst, Jr. (United States, 1908 - 1993)
Person Referenced Abraham Lincoln (United States, 1809 - 1865)
Person Referenced Lyndon Baines Johnson (United States, 1908 - 1973)
In Collection(s)
Not on view
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