New President Harry Truman - 1945

From Poor Farm Boy to the White House

Bainbridge News & Republican, April 19, 1945

 

So much has been printed and broadcast over the radio concerning the new president during the past week that a repetition of the activities of this man would be tiresome to our readers, so that we refrain from going into the details.

 

Twelve years ago not a dozen influential persons in Washington, and almost nobody in other world capitals knew even of the existence of the man who today occupies the White House and is Commander in Chief of American armies around the world, driving relentlessly on to a victory that imposes staggering world leadership responsibilities for the nation.  A half century ago he was just a plain, poor country boy on a Missouri farm.  He never got to college because of lack of funds, and he pulled his way upwards the hard way and through unbelievable political luck such as come to few men in all history.

 

During the first World War Captain Truman was in command when Armistice Day dawned, being located at the front.  His battery fired a barrage than ended 15 minutes before the guns of war were stilled.  He directed the fire.

 

But to come down to date:  The effect of President Truman's first message to Congress is to commit the emergent administration to eight major purposes in the conduct of the war and the building of the peace.  The President's speech, delivered in person to a joint session of the Senate and House, was subdued in tone and brief, but it explicitly embraced the full pattern and program of the statesman he reluctantly succeeded, Franklin D. Roosevelt.  It was on these vital issues that Mr. Truman made significant declaration of policy in words which were at once an assurance to the United States and its Allies and a warning to Axis enemies.

 

President Truman was both forthright and concrete in proclaiming that the united States must lead the way in building a United Nations dedicated to "justice and freedom" and empowered with adequate strength to prevent future aggression.

 

Local Family Friends of President Truman

Bainbridge News & Republican, April 19, 1945

 

The Rev. and Mrs. James E. Wolfe, of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], have been close friends of President Harry Truman and Mrs. Truman for many years, and so it was with great pleasure Mr. Wolfe told us of their close association with the Trumans.

 

Mr. Wolfe stated:  "Mrs. Wolfe and I had the good fortune and pleasure of knowing President and Mrs. Truman during our residence in Independence, Mo., 1917 - 1923.  They were good neighbors, members of the same circle of friends, shared vacations, and we worked together in community and public interests.  They were Harry and Bess to us then, and will always be so.  And I make the guess that they will become that to a world of people as they learn of them these days ahead.

 

"Of course, quite naturally we were interested in public reaction to the President as he took office.  So many referred to him as a modest man.  He is truly and all of that.  But it is the modesty of a true American and real gentleman, and not of a fearful, timid, self-conscious man.  He respects others on the grounds of a right self-respect.  Apparently the press found that true at their first meeting with him.  He is modest, but he is just as truly a man of conviction, courage, and like all modest men he knows a tenacious loyalty to decisions reached.

 

"They speak of him as being able to work with others.  That is the same Truman we knew.  He was always agreeable, loyal and cooperative in everything and way.  And he was even then an early riser and a hard worker.  Even then he was always the student of public interests and affairs so that he enjoys a well furnished mind.  We know these things that have struck the reporters on the President to be no part of a mere act--they are the true expression of a real common, hearty American man, as will be the more apparent, I am confident, as he meets the problems and responsibilities in the days ahead.  he proved himself a true soldier in the ranks.  I am sure he will prove as true as Commander in Chief.  Such seems manifest in the actions of the early days of his administration and in the fact he never was the pliable and easy fool of political connections."