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of time in various aspects of its life. He just couldn't think of anything to say, and he forgot to introduce Stevenson. He forgot to bind the past to the present to the future. Stevenson was the future. The immediate Cabinet, particularly those functions of State and Defense which are now operating at the top, are the present, The past were Henry and me, Morgenthau, Frank Walker and all that batch. He could we all appeared one band of brothers going in the same direction.

I don't think there was any reason for all of this. I think it was just shyness and ineptness. Look at Fred Vinson. He couldn't think of anything to say. Marshall, who was there, makes a beautiful speech when he wants to. Marshall would have made some offhand remarks. Acheson would have made good remarks. Lovett would have made good remarks. Dan Kimball would have made good remarks.

The dinner ended when Vinson offered his toast to the President of the United States. We all rose, lifted our champagne glasses, and said, “To the President. God bless him.” Then we put our glasses down. The President said, “Thank you.” He offered his arm to the lady on his right. Mr. Stevenson offered his arm to Mrs. Truman, and we went





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