FDR on Democracy by Harvey J. Kaye

Author:Harvey J. Kaye
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781510752177
Publisher: Skyhorse
Published: 2020-03-24T16:00:00+00:00

21.

A True Patriotism Urges Us to Build an Even More Substantial America . . .

Speech Dedicating a World War Memorial

St. Louis, Missouri, October 14, 1936

Speaking at the dedication of a World War I war memorial, FDR not only honored those who had fought and died, but also spoke of another kind of service and patriotism, no less essential to the future of a democratic nation.

You and I join here with the rest of the nation in dedicating this site as a memorial to the valiant dead of the World War. Here will rise a fitting structure—a symbol of devoted patriotism and unselfish service.

We in America do not build monuments to war. We do not build monuments to conquest. We build monuments to commemorate the spirit of sacrifice in war—reminders of our desire for peace.

The memory of those whom the War called to the beyond urges us to consecrate the best that is in us to the service of country in times of peace. We best honor the memory of those dead by striving for peace, that the terror of the days of war will be with us no more. In what we have done during the last three years to promote national recovery at home, to extend the hand of the good neighbor to the nations of the world, to break down the barriers to commerce which divide nation from nation, we are promoting the course of peace throughout the world.

Here at home is the call to service too.

Inequalities in our social order call for correction. A true patriotism urges us to build an even more substantial America where the good things of life may be shared by more of us, where the social injustices will not be encouraged to flourish. The many different occupations in our economic and social order can and must be tied more closely together for their mutual advantage and for the advantage of America.

It is significant that the site of this memorial to the veterans of the World War is also the site of the beginning of the old Oregon trail. Here those pioneers of old left to begin that long trek across an unknown country. They faced the dangers ahead of them with stout heart and determined mind. They carried the civilization of their day to new outposts. They carried the spirit of America to a broader destiny.

We seek to follow their example along another trail. They turned not back. Let us not turn back in what we seek in these years, for our goal is a sounder and more permanent well-being in America.

We honor them and we will carry on.

May the beauty of the monument which is rising on this site cast a beneficent light on the memories of our comrades, may its substantial structure typify the strength of their purpose, and may it inspire future generations with the desire to be of service to their fellows and their country . . .

No place could be more fitting to reaffirm that faith and

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