THANK YOU very much. I can't tell you how very much I appreciate
this warm and cordial welcome of the Capital City of the greatest Nation on
earth. It is overwhelming. It makes a man study and wonder whether he is
worthy of the confidence, worthy of the responsibility which has been
thrust upon him.
I will say this to you, that I expect to work just as hard as I
have done for you up to date, and to do it to the best of my ability.
I am happy to say that I will have the cooperation and help,
because we have got one of the greatest Vice Presidents the country has
ever had, and a great leader in the Senate and in the House. One of the
great legislators of all time is the Vice President. That is one of the
luckiest things a man can have when he has this tremendous job.
I shall look forward to the help and cooperation of all the people,
because we are faced with great issues now, which I think we can bring to a
successful conclusion. At least, we will do everything in our power to
bring them to a successful conclusion.
I want to say now that I thank the turnout of the great many people
here in this great Capital City. I have been in Mexico City and Rio de
Janeiro, and Ottawa, Canada, nearly all the capitals of the United States,
and all the great cities on this last campaign, and no turnout has been
better than this one, or more enthusiastic.
I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. I thank you from the
bottom of my heart.
I would like, now, to call on Mr. President of the Senate to say a
few words.
NOTE: The President spoke at noon from the North Portico of the
White House. Senator Alben W. Barkley, the Vice President-elect, responded
as follows:
"Mr. President, in the language of Minnie Pearl of the 'Grand Old
Opry,' I am so glad to be here. It has been a great pleasure for me to be
associated with the President in this campaign, and to share with him the
cordial welcome from the City of Washington and surrounding country.
"There is one thing that this election has demonstrated aside from
any partisan or personal victory, and that ii that the American people do
their own thinking and their own voting on the day of the election.
"I shall be happy to work with the President to the extent of my
ability, and to make his administration the greatest possible success, to
advance the welfare of the American people---of all the American people,
and to advance the cause of peace, not only at home but throughout the
world.
"Now that the election is over, and the result has been decisively
determined, I hope that all of our people may be united and move forward to
the accomplishment of these ends.
"I thank you very much, Mr. President, and all this great crowd of
people."
