Iain Dale
The Presidents
IN 1789, AS George Washington became the first US president, legislators faced the question: having waged a revolution to break from a British monarchy, what title would represent the distinction of the American experiment while proclaiming the importance of the man and the office? (Location 392)
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After days of debate, one legislator reminded colleagues that the newly adopted Constitution prohibited titles. So a simple ‘Mr President’ was established. (Location 399)
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‘Let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself – nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyses needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.’ (Location 472)
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‘The money changers have fled from their high seats in the temple of our civilisation. We may now restore that temple to the ancient truths. The measure of the restoration lies in the extent to which we apply social values more noble than mere monetary profit.’ (Location 474)
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Roosevelt’s Fireside Chats on radio and his 1941 ‘Four Freedoms’: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want and freedom from fear. (Location 477)
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‘The entire world is looking to America for enlightened leadership to peace and progress. Such a leadership requires vision, courage and tolerance. It can be provided only by a united nation deeply devoted to the highest ideals.’ (Location 489)
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Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans – born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage – and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights (Location 509)
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