Herbert Hoover had hoped to continue the prosperity the nation had experienced through the 1920s when he delivered his inaugural address on March 4, 1929. There was a drizzling rain during his address. The Great Depression would begin by the end of the year.
Chief Justice William Howard Taft, who lost a bid for re-election as president in 1912, administered the oath of office. Here are 10 quotes from Hoover's inaugural speech:
1. "The influence and high purposes of our Nation are respected among the peoples of the world. We aspire to distinction in the world, but to a distinction based upon confidence in our sense of justice as well as our accomplishments within our own borders and in our own lives."
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2. Prohibition, the ban on alcoholic beverages, was in force when Hoover took office. "The most malign of all these dangers today is disregard and disobedience of law. Crime is increasing. Confidence in rigid and speedy justice is decreasing. I am not prepared to believe that this indicates any decay in the moral fiber of the American people."
3. "No greater national service can be given by men and women of good will — who, I know, are not unmindful of the responsibilities of citizenship — than that they should, by their example, assist in stamping out crime and outlawry by refusing participation in and condemning all transactions with illegal liquor."
4. "If citizens do not like a law, their duty as honest men and women is to discourage its violation; their right is openly to work for its repeal."
5. "Reform, reorganization and strengthening of our whole judicial and enforcement system, both in civil and criminal sides, have been advocated for years by statesmen, judges, and bar associations. First steps toward that end should not longer be delayed."
6. "The larger purpose of our economic thought should be to establish more firmly stability and security of business and employment and thereby remove poverty still further from our borders."
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7. "Business has by cooperation made great progress in the advancement of service, in stability, in regularity of employment and in the correction of its own abuses. Such progress, however, can continue only so long as business manifests its respect for law."
8. "Public health service should be as fully organized and as universally incorporated into our governmental system as is public education. The returns are a thousand fold in economic benefits, and infinitely more in reduction of suffering and promotion of human happiness.”
9. "Peace can be contributed to by respect for our ability in defense. Peace can be promoted by the limitation of arms and by the creation of the instrumentalities for peaceful settlement of controversies. But it will become a reality only through self- restraint and active effort in friendliness and helpfulness."
10. "Ours is a land rich in resources; stimulating in its glorious beauty; filled with millions of happy homes; blessed with comfort and opportunity. In no nation are the institutions of progress more advanced. In no nation are the fruits of accomplishment more secure. In no nation is the government more worthy of respect. No country is more loved by its people. I have an abiding faith in their capacity, integrity and high purpose. I have no fears for the future of our country. It is bright with hope."
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