As this memorable presidential race in the U.S. is fast approaching its final outcome, I wondered what style of speaking former U.S. presidents used to bring their message to the people. How did they speak after they were elected? Were they representative of the larger culture? I ask these questions as a Canadian citizen who is removed from the voting process. However, I do have to say that the candidates for this election have caught my attention and the rhetoric used has confounded me. I thought, just perhaps, the rhetoric other U.S. Presidents used would serve to alleviate my concerns about the candidates in this election.
I’m happy to say that those who have held this historic role have not disappointed me. They spoke carefully and wisely for the good of all despite their own faults and failings as members of the human race. Below are some quotes of former U.S. presidents that speak to this truth.
“Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all.” (George Washington – 1st President – 1732-1799) Lived 67 years.
“Nip the shoots of arbitrary power in the bud, is the only maxim which can ever preserve the liberties of any people.”
(JOHN ADAMS – 2nd President – 1735-1826) Lived 90 years.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” (Thomas Jefferson – 3rd President -1743-1826) Lived 83 years.
“What is government itself but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary.” (James Madison – 4th President – 1809-1817) Lived 85 years.
“Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally.” (Abraham Lincoln – 16th President – 1809-1865) Lived 56 years.
“Let us labor for the security of free thought, free speech, pure morals, unfettered religious sentiments, and equal rights and privileges for all men, irrespective of nationality, color, or religion;…. leave the matter of religious teaching to the family altar, the church, and the private school, supported entirely by private contribution. Keep church and state forever separate.” (Ulysses S. Grant – 18th President – 1822-1885) Lived 63 years.
“It is not the critic who counts;
not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.
The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena,
whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood;
who strives valiantly;
who errs and comes short again and again;
who knows great enthusiasms,
the great devotions;
who spends himself in a worthy cause;
who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement,
and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly
so that his place shall never be with those timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” (Theodore Roosevelt – 26th President – 1858-1919) Lived 60 years.
“America was established not to create wealth but to realize a vision, to realize an ideal – to discover and maintain liberty among men.” (Woodrow Wilson – 28th President – 1856-1924) Lived 67 years.
“The supreme purpose of history is a better world.” (Herbert Hoover – 31st U.S. President (1874-1964) Lived 90 years.
“The qualities of a great man are vision, integrity, courage, understanding, the power of articulation, and profundity of character.” (Dwight David Eisenhower – 34th President – 1890-1969) Lived 78 years.
“I look forward to a great future for America – a future in which our country will match its military strength with our moral restraint, its wealth with our wisdom, its power with our purpose.” (John F. Kennedy – 35th President – 1917-1963) Lived 46 years.
“I believe that the essence of government lies with unceasing concern for the welfare and dignity and decency and innate integrity of life for every individual. I dont like to say this and wish I didnt have to add these words to make it clear but I willregardless of color, creed, ancestry, sex or age.” (Lyndon B. Johnson – 36th President – 1908-1973) Lived 64 years.
“America now is stumbling through the darkness of hatred and divisiveness. Our values, our principles, and our determination to succeed as a free and democratic people will give us a torch to light the way. And we will survive and become the stronger – not only because of a patriotism that stands for love of country, but a patriotism that stands for love of people.” (Gerald R. Ford – 38th President – 1913-2006) Lived 93 years.
“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.” (Ronald Reagan – 40th President – 1911-2004) Lived 93 years.
“I still believe in a place called Hope, a place called America.” (Bill Clinton – 42nd President) b.1946
Last, but not least, are the words of President Barack Obama, who is the 44th President and still the Commander-in-Chief of the United States of America.
“Fair to say, this is not your typical election. It’s not just a choice between parties or policies; the usual debates between left and right. This is a more fundamental choice – about who we are as a people, and whether we stay true to this great American experiment in self-government.” (Barack Obama – 44th and current President) b.1961
It was an inspirational exercise to glean these words of wisdom from leaders, most of whom are no longer with us – but, who nevertheless, have left an important mark on history by the words they spoke and, the manner, in which they were spoken. As they say, the Devil is in the detail. I’m looking forward to the next incoming U.S. President and hoping that the words they speak will bring togetherness, cohesiveness, and openness, to the U.S. and the world. We’re expecting great things of you, America!
