Cherries & Monuments

Standing in the shadow of the Washington Monument one day last week, Harry Truman, forgetting for the moment his inter-party struggles, spoke familiarly and engagingly of his childhood, of the Republic, and of his predecessors in the White House. Just 100 years ago, the cornerstone of the monument had been laid. In Harry Truman's hand was a gavel, used in the 1848 ceremonies attended by President Polk and used before that by George Washington when he laid the cornerstone of the Capitol.

Morning Swim. Said Harry Truman: "When I was asked to appear here today, I began to think of my childhood and the celebrations of the Fourth of July. It was always customary in those days to read the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. . .We don't follow that custom any more, [but] I hope that everyone of you, some time today, will read that document once more . . ."

Reminiscently, Truman went on: "When I think of this place in 1789 as a swamp, there are some most interesting things that have taken place here. . .It is said that John Quincy Adams used to go down there [pointing to the Potomac River] and swim in the mornings, instead of taking a walk, as I do. It is said on one occasion that a lady. . .went down and sat on his clothes and made him promise her a job before she would let him out of the water.

"Then, on another occasion, on July 4, 1850, a sad event took place. President Zachary Taylor came out here to a celebration such as this, and he delivered the oration of the day. Then, it being hot as it is now, he ate cherries and fruit, and drank a lot of water, and he went back to the White House and on July 9, he was dead. Let's hope that nothing of that sort happens here today."

Six Volumes. Earlier in the week, the President had dispatched his plane, The Independence, to Venezuela for President Romulo Gallegos and his wife, was on hand to welcome them when they arrived at Washington's National Airport. Along with their wives, Presidents Truman and Gallegos posed for pictures on the new White House balcony. At an official White House dinner, the President presented Gallegos (whom he called Venezuela's "greatest modern litterateur") with the Legion of Merit. Gallegos replied that he was "proud to shake the hand of so sincere and simple a man as the President of the U.S.," presented Harry Truman with six volumes of his works.

After a night at the White House, and one at Blair House, Venezuela's Gallegos (along with 200 guests and newsmen) boarded Harry Truman's special train for Bolivar, Missouri. There, this week, with parades, pageantry and protestations of mutual esteem, the two Presidents were to unveil a seven-foot monument to South American Liberator Simon Bolivar.

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