Evening star., 1952-04-15
Trumun's S Letter
Extends OAR Greetings
THROUGH Mrs. Potion

Through Mrs. Potion
Following is the tert of Presi-
dent Truman'S letter to Mrs.
James B. Patton, president gen.
eral of the Daughters OF the
American Revolution, read to
the OAR contention last night:
Dear Mrs. Patton:
I extend warmest personal greet
ings and best wishes to the
Daughters of the American Revo-
luton as their Sixty-first Contin-
entail Congress convenes in the
Nations Capital.
This assemblage represents q
large number of the Nations
women. In the development of our
country. American wives and
mothers have exerted a steadying
influence that has ably compile
mented the vigorous pioneer spirit
of their menfolk. They have dis
played a calm fortitude under
hardship and an abiding religious
faith in time of sorrow. Through
the years they have nourished q
quiet but firm conviction that the
Nation they helped to build would
give their children the freedom
and opportunity to make the most
of their lives. Americas women, I
believe caught the essence Of
democracy early.
High Cost of Democracy.
They also realized the high cost
of democracy. No group is more
conscious of the initial price our
country paid for its democratic be-
liefs than your society. Today the
price seems even higher. Your
sons and husbands are fighting in
Korea. They are bolstering Ameri-
can military strength in Europe
and protecting other areas
threatened by Communism. Your
tax dollars are buying military
equipment for these American
forces and for the forces Of our
allies. Thus American dollars and
far more important-American
lives are involved in defending the
concept we call democracy.
I am sure we all agree that.
in contrast to the police state
methods that are terrorizing other
areas of the world, we Americans
are indeed fortunate. While many
countries are struggling to attain
their freedom, we enjoy the bene-
fits of a democracy that In a
century and a half has enabled
the United States to become q
strong and incredibly productive
nation and has given the indi-
vidual American a sense Of per.
sonal dignity.
Today we are working diligently
to preserve our freedom; while
the price Is high, we feel the re-
wards are far more valuable. That
is why the United States has in
dorsed Fundamentally the untiring
efforts of the United Nations to
secure world peace. 1t is why
your sons and husbands are stop
ping Communist aggression in
Korea-and why the United States
is assisting other nations threaten
ed by Communism to strengthen
their military and economic posi-
tions.
| Contribution to Security.
| These are heavy responsibilities,
requiring the combined resources
and close teamwork Of American
industry, labor. agriculture and
Government. They are small re-
sponsibilities. however, in the light
of the contribution they are max
ing to American security.
The Nations future is being
shaped by the actions we are now
taking. I sincerely believe these
actions to be in keeping with the
farsighted planning of our fore
fathers, and I am confident that
our children and our grandchildren
will benefit immeasurably from
them.
Therefore, ask the women Of
America to support these efforts.
And 1 urge each of them to join
with me in seeking Gods guidance
as we continue the search for
peace.
Very sincerely yours,
HARRY TRUMAN.