FDR

We have here a human as well as an economic problem.

When humane considerations are concerned, Americans give them precedence.

The lessons of history, confirmed by the evidence immediately before me, show conclusively that continued dependence upon relief induces a spiritual and moral disintegration fundamentally destructive to the national fibre.

To dole out relief in this way is to administer a narcotic, a subtle destroyer of the human spirit.

Work must be found for able-bodied but destitute workers.

The Federal Government must and shall quit this business of relief.

I am not willing that the vitality of our people be further sapped by the giving of cash, of market baskets, of a few hours of weekly work cutting grass, raking leaves or picking up .papers in the public parks.

We must preserve not only the bodies of the unemployed from destitution but also their self-respect, their self-reliance and courage and determination.

Local responsibility can and will be resumed, for, after all, common sense tells us that the wealth necessary for this task existed and still exists in the local community, and the dictates of sound administration require that this…

The Federal Government is the only governmental agency with sufficient power and credit to meet this situation.

We have assumed this task and we shall not shrink from it in the future.

Our ultimate objective being the enrichment of human lives, the Government has the primary duty to use its emergency expenditures as much as possible to serve those who cannot secure the advantages of private capital.

Its greatest advantage is that it fits logically and usefully into the long-range permanent policy of providing the three types of security which constitute as a whole an American plan for the betterment of the future of the American…

I cannot with candor tell you that general international relationships outside the borders of the United States are improved.

On the surface of things many old jealousies are resurrected, old passions aroused; new strivings for armament and power, in more than one land, rear their ugly heads.

I hope that calm counsel and constructive leadership will provide the steadying influence and the time necessary for the coming of new and more practical forms of representative government throughout the world wherein privilege and power…

I believe, however, that our own peaceful and neighborly attitude toward other Nations is coming to be understood and appreciated.

Nor is there ground for doubt that the people of most Nations seek relief from the threat and burden attaching to the false theory that extravagant armament cannot be reduced and limited by international accord.

Let us not forget that, in addition to saving millions from utter destitution, child labor has been for the moment outlawed, thousands of homes saved to their owners and most important of all, the morale of the Nation has been restored.

It is not empty optimism that moves me to a strong hope in the coming year.

We can, if we will, make 1935 a genuine period of good feeling, sustained by a sense of purposeful progress.

Beyond the material recovery, I sense a spiritual recovery as well.

The people of America are turning as never before to those permanent values that are not limited to the physical objectives of life.

International consultation and widespread hope for the bettering of relations between the Nations gave to all of us a reasonable expectation that the barriers to mutual confidence, to increased trade, and to the peaceful settlement of…

Among the Nations of the great Western Hemisphere the policy of the good neighbor has happily prevailed.