The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-01-20
President Assumes Obligation OF Leading
American People Forward On Chosen Road

I see millions Of families trying
to live on incomes 90 rneager that
the pail Of family disaster hangs
over them day BY day.
see millions whose daily lives
In city and on farm continue I'M
der conditions labelled indecent
by so-called polite society half a
Gentry ago.
I see millions denied education,
recreation and the opportunity to
better their lot and the lot Of
their chcildren.
see millions lacking the means
to buy the products Of farm and
factory and by their poverty
denying work and productiveneSs
10 many other millions.
see one-third Of a nation Ill
housed, ill-clad, ill-nourished.
Picture Painted, Not in Despair
It Is not in despair that I paint
you that picture. I paint 1t for
you In hope-becauSe the nation,
seeing and understanding the In
justice of it, proposes to paint 1t
out. We are determined to make
every American citizen the SUBJ
ject Of his country's interest and
concern; and we will never re-
gard any faithful law-abiding
group within our borders as
superfluous. The test OF our
progress Is not whether we add
more to the abundance Of those
who have much; It is whether we
II I know aught of the spirit anc
provide enough for those who
have too little.
II I know aught Of the spirit
and purpose Of our nation, we
will not listen to comfort, oppor-
tunism and timidity. We will
carry on.
Overwhelmingly, we Of the re-
public are men and women OF
good will--men and women who
have more than warm hearts Of
dedication-men and women who
have cool heads and willing hands
Of practical purpose as well. They
insist that every agency Of popu-
lar government use effective In
Struments TO carry out their will.
All Work As Trustees
Government Is competent when
all who compose It work as trus-
tees for the whole people. 1t can
make constant progress when 1t
keeps abreast Of all the facts. It
can obtain justified support and
legitimate criticism when the
people receive true information Of
all that government does.
II know aught Of the will OF
our people, they will demand that
these conditions Of effective gov
eminent shall be created and
maintained. They will demand
nation interrupted by cancers OF
injustice and, therefore, strong
among the nations in its example
Of the will to peace.
Today we reconsecrate Our
country to long cherished ideals
in a suddenly changed civiliza-
ton. In every land there are al
ways at work forces that drive
men apart and forces that draw
men together. In our personal
ambitions we are individualists.
But in our seeking for economic
and political progress as q nation,
we all 60 up-or else we all 60
down--as one people.
Vast Store Of Patience
To maintain q democracy/of ef-
fort requires a vast amount of
patience in dealing with differing
methods, vast amount Of humil-
ity. But out OF the confusion Of
many voices rises an understand
ing OF dominant public need.
Then political leadership can
voice common ideals and aid In
their realization.
In taking again the oath of
office as president Of the United
States, I assume the solemn obli-
cation Of leading the American
people forward along the road
over which they have chosen to
advance.
While this duty rests upon me
shall do my utmost to speak
their purpose and to do their will,
seeking divine guidance to help
us each and every one to give
light to them that sit In darkness
and to guide our feet into the
way Of peace.