How we cite our quotes: (Sentence)
Quote #1
It can be accomplished in part by direct recruiting by the Government itself, treating the task as we would treat the emergency of a war, but at the same time, through this employment, accomplishing greatly needed projects to stimulate and reorganize the use of our natural resources. (36)
By "treating the task as we would treat the emergency of a war," Roosevelt means throwing everything but the kitchen sink at the problem. Like an actual war, this is a problem that needs money, manpower, and improved transportation to ensure supplies are adequate. Convincing the citizenry that the sacrifices and efforts necessary to wage this economic war are worth the costs is a crucial task. But after years of inaction, an all-out mobilization sounds like a fine plan.
Quote #2
There are the lines of attack. (46)
Again, like a general briefing his troops, FDR paints his policies as plans of attack. The decisive and straightforward way he addresses the problems facing America gives the people a duty to perform, and morale improved almost immediately.
Quote #3
If I read the temper of our people correctly, we now realize as we have never realized before our interdependence on each other; that we can not merely take but we must give as well; that if we are to go forward, we must move as a trained and loyal army willing to sacrifice for the good of a common discipline, because without such discipline no progress is made, no leadership becomes effective. (58)
Sacrifice is never easy. But it's easier to take when you know everyone is doing so for some bigger purpose. FDR used his idealism and the people's desperation to channel their power into countrywide progress. His New Deal legislation created millions of jobs by investing in infrastructure, improving roads and bridges and even dams. This had profound effects on the country; not only was America modernized, but in many ways these programs redefined the government's purpose to its people.
Quote #4
With this pledge taken, I assume unhesitatingly the leadership of this great army of our people dedicated to a disciplined attack upon our common problems. (61)
Even reading this line decades in the future, you'd be forgiven for thinking Roosevelt was about to initiate a coup, with all this talk of executive action and combative rhetoric. Even contemporaries were worried. To deal with a crisis of epic proportions, FDR was given powers far beyond most previous presidents, and certainly more than any president in a time of peace. The words "tyrant" and "dictator" were whispered by his detractors. But these were only whispers. As he states in his address, the overwhelming election victory gave President Roosevelt a mandate from the people to act as he saw fit to fix the country. And that's exactly what he did.
Quote #5
I shall ask the Congress for the one remaining instrument to meet the crisis—broad Executive power to wage a war against the emergency, as great as the power that would be given to me if we were in fact invaded by a foreign foe. (71)
This is Roosevelt's fail-safe. Plan Z. The one you hope you never have to use. And probably the primary reason for all of the war rhetoric to begin with. Speechwriter Raymond Moley was smart enough to realize that framing the struggle to fix the country as a war was the only way to get people on board. There is no overstating just how wild it would be to give a president these kinds of powers without real conflict.