JFK DID NOT LOOK TO THE FUTURE WITH GLOOM

JFK+50:  Volume 5, No. 2103

JFK HAD A POSITIVE MESSAGE IN BOSTON SPEECH OF 53 YEARS AGO

Boston, Massachusetts (JFK+50) Tonight as we prepare to watch the last presidential debate of the Election of 2016, we are reminded of a much different America as President John F. Kennedy gave a speech at the Boston Armory 53 years ago, October 19, 1963.

While the speech was given at a Democratic fundraising dinner, the President's message was positive and complimentary of the federal government and the United States Congress.

President Kennedy was pleased with Congressional efforts on his tax bill, the civil rights bill, mental retardation, medical colleges, minimum wage, unemployment and social security benefits.

The President said...

"I do not look to the future with gloom.  I do not regard the effort of the National Government...as a failure.  I think the United States...is moving into its brightest period."

President Kennedy expressed his pride in his home state of Massachusetts adding that "it has the largest and...most distinguished history."

JFK concluded his message with this little story...

"Some years ago Marshal Lyautey*, who was the great French commander in Morocco, said to his gardener to plant a tree and the gardener said 'Well, there's no use planting it.  It won't bear fruit for a hundred years.'  He said, 'In that case, plant it this afternoon.'"

The President added...

"that is the way I feel about the Democratic Party."

*Hubert Llyautey (1854-1934) was born in Nancy, France & graduated from Saint-Cyr military academy.  HL served in Algeria, Indochina, Madagascar & Morocco.  HL was Minister of War, Marshal of France, & Resident-General of Morocco.

SOURCE

"Remarks in Boston at the 'New England's Salute to the President' Dinner," October 19, 1963, The American Presidency Project, www.presidency.ucsb.edu/