Rare 1952 State of the Union Address Signed by President Truman

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/28/2005

TRUMAN, Harry (1884 - 1972) 33rd President of the United States who led the country in the closing days of World War II and through the re-building of Europe under the Marshall Plan and the Korean War. Original State of the Union message signed “Harry S. Truman” 9p. folio, January 9, 1952, with message at top “HOLD FOR RELEASE...PLEASE GUARD AGAINST PREMATURE PUBLICATION OR ANNOUNCEMENT”, the address reads in part: “...This will be a presidential election year-the year in which politics plays a large part in our lives--a larger part than usual. That is perfectly proper. But we have a greater responsibility to conduct our political fights in a manner that does not harm the national interest. We can find plenty of things to differ about without destroying our free institutions and without abandoning our bipartisan foreign policy for peace. When everything is said and done, all of us--Republicans and Democrats alike--all of us are Americans; and we are all going to sink or swim together. We are moving through a perilous time. Faced with a terrible threat of aggression, our Nation has embarked upon a great effort to help establish the kind of world in which peace shall be secure. Peace is our goal-not peace at any price, but a peace based on freedom and justice. We are now in the midst of our effort to reach that goal. On the whole, we have been doing very well. Last year, 1951, was a year in which we threw back aggression, added greatly to our military strength, and improved the chances for peace and freedom in many parts of the world. This year, 1952, is a critical year in the defense effort of the whole free world. If we falter we can lose all the gains we have made. If we drive ahead, with courage and vigor and determination, we can by the end of 1952 be in a position of much greater security. The way will be dangerous for the years ahead, but if we put forth our best efforts this year--and next year--we can be "over the hump" in our effort to build strong defenses....” Much more. Fine. Scarce original copy of the State of the Union possibly presented to the Speaker of the House or other high ranking government employee.

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