Official booklet entitled "Address of President Franklin D. Roosevelt to the Joint Session of Congress, January 4, 1939," published by the Government Printing Office, 5.75 x 9, ten pages, signed and inscribed on the front cover in fountain pen to the well-known progressive rabbi Stephen Samuel Wise, "For Stephen S. Wise, from his friend, Franklin D. Roosevelt." In very good to fine condition, with intersecting folds, some curling at corners, and a "Library of Lawrence E. Miller" blindstamp to the last page. Accompanied by a custom-made presentation folder with gilt spine titling.
Wise was perhaps America's most famous rabbi during the 20th century, and was well-known as a close friend of President Roosevelt, often serving as an advisor on Jewish issues. In late 1942, Wise held a press conference that revealed the Nazi plan for the extermination of Jews, based on information obtained from US Under-Secretary of State Sumner Welles. In this 1939 speech, FDR anticipates this attack on European Jewry by making several references to the importance of the freedom of religion. He observes: 'Where freedom of religion has been attacked, the attack has come from sources opposed to democracy…The defense of religion, of democracy and of good faith among nations is all the same fight. To save one we must now make up our minds to save all.' An extraordinary association piece linking Roosevelt to the Jewish cause, nine months before the outbreak of World War II. From the Collection of Dr. Lawrence E. Miller.
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