“Boys, if you ever pray, pray for me now. I don’t know if you fellas ever had a load of hay fall on you, but when they told me what happened yesterday, I felt like the moon, the stars, and all the planets had fallen on me.” So spoke President Harry S. Truman upon the death of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Consistent with that memorable remark, a poignant comment on the life of his predecessor is offered in this signed excerpt from Truman’s first memoir, titled Memoirs by Harry S. Truman: Year of Decisions. The nation’s 33rd President signed the bottom of the undated 8.5 x 11 page, and his desirable, black fountain pen signature exhibits impressive potency. In this memoir, Truman’s admiration for FDR is evident, as he writes: “The leader of his people in a great war, he lived to see the assurance of the victory but not to share it. He lived to see the first foundations of the free and peaceful world to which his life was dedicated, but not to enter on that world himself. His fellow countrymen will sorely miss his fortitude and faith and courage in the time to come. The people of the earth who love the ways of freedom and of hope will mourn for him. But though his voice is silent, his courage is not spent, his faith is not extinguished. The courage of great men outlives them to become the courage of their people and the peoples of the world. It lives beyond them and upholds their purposed [sic] and brings their hopes to pass.” The typescript carries standard mailing folds (some of which passes through the signature) and light handling wear. In fine condition. JSA/John Reznikoff Auction LOA and RRAuction COA.
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