Truman Inauguration
Truman Inauguration
Newsreel of the 1949 Inauguration of Harry S. Truman.
Truman Inauguration
MSs white people standing in line snaking out of polling place; people register to vote, exit curtains of voting booth. MS New York Governor Thomas Dewey and wife getting out of car outside polling place. TLS/LSs construction crews building spectator stands outside Capitol Building for Truman Inauguration, January 20, 1949. MS/LSs President Harry Truman riding in convertible through streets of Washington, DC, on inauguration day. High angle LS Capitol Building. TLS/LSs crowd of spectators. MS Chief Justice Fred Vinson administering Oath of Office to Harry Truman: "Do you, Harry S. Truman, solemnly swear--" At outset of Oath, Mr. Truman kisses the Bible, just as he did in April, 1945. TLS President Truman delivering Inaugural Address: "I accept with humility the honor which the American people have conferred upon me. I accept it with a deep resolve to do all that I can for the welfare of this Nation & for the peace of the world. In performing the duties of my office, I need the help & prayers of every one of you. I ask for your encouragement & your support. The tasks we face are difficult, and we can accomplish them only if we work together."
Truman Inauguration
MS President HARRY TRUMAN continuing Inaugural Address: "It is fitting, therefore, that we take this occasion to proclaim to the world the essential principles of the faith by which we live, and to declare our aims to all peoples." "In the pursuit of these aims, the United States & other likeminded nations find themselves directly opposed by a regime with contrary aims & a totally different concept of life. That regime adheres to a false philosophy which purports to offer freedom, security, & greater opportunity to mankind. Misled by this philosophy, many peoples have sacrificed their liberties only to learn to their sorrow that deceit & mockery, poverty & tyranny, are their reward. That false philosophy is communism. Communism is based on the belief that man is so weak & inadequate that he is unable to govern himself, and therefore requires the rule of strong masters. Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with reason and justice."
Truman Inauguration
MS President Harry S. Truman continuing Inaugural Address: "The initiative is ours. We are moving on with other nations to build an even stronger structure of international order & justice. We shall have as our partners countries which, no longer solely concerned with the problem of national survival, are now working to improve the standards of living of all their people. We are ready to undertake new projects to strengthen the free world." TLS/LSs crowd. "Steadfast in our faith in the Almighty, we will advance toward a world where man's freedom is secure. To that end we will devote our strength, our resources, and our firmness of resolve. With God's help, the future of mankind will be assured in a world of justice, harmony, and peace." LS/TLS/MSs Inaugural Parade, President Truman & Vice-President Alben Barkley watching floats, cadets, etc.