The Skyland post., 1945-04-19
Franklin ID. Roosevelt

Franklin Delano Roosevelt is dead, but
in going he gave to America and the world
heritage that will pass from generation
unto generation for he has indeed left an
indelible stamp upon humanity. He was
truly a great man and fortunately for
America and the world, he occupied posi-
tion in which he could be most useful to
mankind.
Coming into the office as President of
these United States, in the midst of the
worst depression of our time, he restored
confidence and with it economic security
and convinced the American public that,
1--WE have nothing to fear but fear itself" In
the years that followed he was the driving
force in bringing about stupendous social
and economic changes. AS wartime
president he led the American nation and
the world out of darkness and despair far
along the shining road to victory. But he
went farther than that for he set in motion
plans that would assure this nation and the
world, lasting peace. It was in this mag
nificent effort that he gave his life and
thus became the greatest casualty of the
worlds greatest war.
When we pause to analyze the greatness
of this man, Roosevelt, many of his admira-
BILE characteristics come to our mind.
Looming above all else is his courageous
spirit, that should serve as an inspiration
to all men. The amount of courage neces-
sary to carry on, after being stricken with
the dreaded disease, infantile paralysis, just
in the prime of life, is immeasurable. Yet
he arose above this physical handicap, dar
ed to attempt and to accomplish far more
than few men ever dream of in this world.
His was the true courage, calm and cool,
that overcame great obstacles that would
have been given up by many as insur-
of what was right, he left little undone to
accomplish this end.
Deeply religious, Roosevelt possessed
abiding faith in the brotherhood of man.
And it was in great measure his belief
in men that inspired their confidence. Mil
lions of men the world over believed in
him as they did no other person. This be-
lief knew no bounds of race, creed color or
political party To millions he was not
solely the President of these United States,
but friend in need. For years they had
listened to his voice. He had spoken on
what must and what could be done and the
DeOple had seen these plans carried out
The world listened to him and when he
had spoken doubt was dispelled and people
felt certain of what they might expect.
Because of his undying courage and of
the confidence men had in him, they were
continually inspired to accomplish more
and more We were impressed with this
fact this week when talking to youth who
had spent more than two years in the
Pacific theater of war and who heard the
tragic news while enroute home. GAS bad
ly as I wanted to come home felt like the
only thing I should do was to cancel my
leave, go back to duty and fight harder for
those things for which our President fought
and died, victory and peace" he said.
His sense of humor, tolerance and SYM
pathetic understanding of people of all
walks of life earned for him love and de-
votion from the masses. He could walk
with kings, yet never did he lose the COM
mon touch. A blue-stocking aristocrat by
birth, he understood the problems of the