How we cite our quotes: (Sentence number)
Quote #1
My friends. (1)
True, this line is about as short as it gets. But what does it accomplish? Roosevelt could have started his chat any number of ways (a common one today is "my fellow Americans"), but by choosing these words he immediately sets the tone of compassion and understanding. By saying "my friends" Roosevelt puts himself on more equal footing with the common man, and links himself to the public through more than just being their president.
Quote #2
I want to tell you what has been done in the last few days, and why it was done, and what the next steps are going to be. (3)
Transparency shows that Roosevelt trusts his people enough to fill them in on the details. He's being compassionate by saying they deserve to know what's going on. By opening up to his people, FDR builds trust and continues the sense of friendship.
Quote #3
I can assure you, my friends, that it is safer to keep your money in a reopened bank than it is to keep it under the mattress. (48)
By referencing ye olde mattress trick, Roosevelt shows the people that he knows what they're going through. This is actually a super-powerful move. Think about it—Roosevelt almost certainly wasn't hiding money under his mattress, nor had he ever had to in his life.
By simply referring to this practice, he makes a connection with the average citizen and probably made them smile inside, as if to say, "Hey, I guess other people are doing that too…" Of course, he also throws in another "my friends" which never hurts.