be perfect
At twelve noon on January 20, 1945, the Marine Band struck up “Hail to the Chief.”
Franklin Roosevelt stood on stiffly braced legs and gripped the arm of his son, James.
Together, they walked through the doors of the White House South Portico as eight thousand people, standing on packed snow on the South Lawn, watched his slow walk to the podium.
All had come to witness FDR’s fourth presidential inauguration.
The overnight snow had ended by nine o’clock that morning.
But it was cold — thirty-five degrees — and everyone was dressed warmly, in woolens and furs.
But not FDR.
His health had become a political issue in the recent election.
Making a strong appearance at the inauguration was necessary.
So, FDR had not worn his customary navy-blue wool cape or hat.
FDR had recently suffered abdominal pains and he’d lost weight.
James told him he ‘looked like Hell.’
Some would later say FDR trembled and seemed in pain and, when he addressed the crowd, seemed short of breath.
White House records show that in the days leading up to the inauguration, he had spent time in the White House doctor’s office each afternoon.
He’d be dead in eighty-two days.
The inauguration was hosted by a joint committee of Congress, which has been the practice since George Washington’s inauguration in 1789.
But with war still raging in Europe and the Pacific, the committee staged a spare event.
Gasoline was under rationing; there was a lumber shortage; and the nation’s young men were spread out across the globe.
So, there would be no floats, bands or military units marching down Pennsylvania Avenue, and no inaugural ball.
Reporter’s question: “Are you going to parade any on inauguration day?”
FDR’s reply: “No. Who is there to parade?”
Congress had appropriated $25,000 for inaugural festivities, but FDR spent less than $2,000.
Most went for a lunch for 1,800 people who were served chicken salad on a lettuce leaf.
Dessert was a slice of cake with no frosting.
[Sugar rationing wouldn’t end until 1947.]
FDR’s inaugural address was among the shortest inaugural speeches ever given, but it contained a heavy demand.
He asked the nation to strive for perfection with courage, guided by high moral principle:
“We Americans of today, together with our allies, are passing through a period of supreme test…of our courage…our resolve… our wisdom…our essential democracy…
“[And] we shall strive for perfection.
“We shall not achieve it immediately…
“We may make mistakes, but they must never be mistakes which result from faintness of heart or abandonment of moral principle.”
The great American presidents demanded adherence to high moral principles in the conduct of the nation’s business.
They believed in a goodness deep within the American spirit which could be harnessed to solve problems.
There is no other way.
Appeals to the dark side solve nothing.
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I’ll see you on Monday.
— Brenda
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