October 5, 1937 – A new day dawns in the city as
the long awaited link between the north and south sections of the city, the
bridge over the Chicago River at Lake Shore Drive, is dedicated in front of
nearly 10,000 spectators. The highlight
of the ceremony is the appearance of the President of the United States, Franklin
Roosevelt, who speaks very few words concerning the bridge. Instead he uses the opportunity to make a
major address concerning the responsibility of the United States in joining
like-minded nations in opposing countries that would wage war to achive
domination. “And mark this well,”
Roosevelt says, “When an epidemic of physical disease starts to spread, the
community approves and joins in a quarantine of the patients in order to
protect the health of the community against the spread of the disease. War is contagion whether it is declared or
undeclared. It can engulf states and
people remote from the original scene of hostilities. Yes, we are determined to keep out of war,
yet we cannot insure ourselves against the disastrous effects of war and the
dangers of involvement.” [Chicago Tribune, October 6, 1937]
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