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Harry S Truman Fiftieth Election Anniversary 1948-1998
Introduction Nomination Campaign Election Inauguration Links

Nomination

photo of Phil Donnelly Missouri Governor Phil M. Donnelly had the honor of presenting President Harry S. Truman for the Democratic nomination. An attorney from Lebanon, Missouri, Donnelly entered state politics in 1922 when he was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives. In 1924, he won a seat in the Missouri Senate, where he served until his election as governor in 1944. One of his first duties in office was to select someone for Missouri's vacant U.S. Senate seat, resulting from Truman's election as Vice-President.

 

Excerpt from Donnelly's Truman Introduction Speech

…The President is a man of the people. He understands the problems and speaks the language of the average man and woman. He is a native Missourian, born and reared in the free atmosphere of that great state which combines the vigor of the north, the hospitality of the south, the culture of the east, and the fearless spirit of the west. He comes from a state in the heart of the nation, with characteristics of all sections of our great country. Missouri is truly representative of America, as rich in material and human resources as it is in the history of the nation. A state that is strong agriculturally and industrially and whose educational institutions are known over all the world. Under the influence of that environment, born of sturdy, pioneer stock, our President learned and practiced the ideals of a life of self-sacrifice, simplicity, and courage.

His love for a great mother, and his love of family, are as much as a part of his Missouri background as is his sense of justice and fair play. Our party, and the nation, needs such leadership. Ladies and gentlemen, in that spirit, and with the best interest of all the people of our great nation at heart, I present to this convention, for the office of President of the United States, the name of a soldier, patriot, and statesman, and, who is, whose splendid courage has never faltered in war or in peace, and who is today leading this nation to a new and a greater destiny. The President of the United States, Harry S. Truman


microphone Speech Excerpt
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Full Transcript of Donnelly Speech