|
We observe today not a victory of party but
a celebration of freedoms–symbolizing an end
as well as a beginning–signifying renewal as
well as change. For I have sworn before you and
Almighty God the same solemn oath our forebears prescribed nearly a century and three-quarters ago.
The world is very different now. For man
holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish
all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life. And yet the same revolutionary beliefs
for which our forebears fought are still at issue
around the globe–the belief that the rights of
man come not from the generosity of the state
but from the hand of God....
Let the word go forth from this time and
place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has
been passed to a new generation of Americans–
born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our
ancient heritage–and unwilling to witness or
permit the slow undoing of those human rights
to which this nation has always been committed,
and to which we are committed today at home
and around the world.
Let every nation know, whether it wishes us
well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any
burden, meet any hardship, support any friend,
oppose any foe to assure the survival and the
success of liberty.
This much we pledge–and more.
To those old allies whose cultural and spiritual origins we share, we pledge the loyalty of
faithful friends....
|
|
To those new states whom we welcome to
the ranks of the free, we pledge our word that
one form of colonial control shall not have
passed away merely to be replaced by a far more
iron tyranny....
To those peoples in the huts and villages of
half the globe struggling to break the bonds of
mass misery, we pledge our best efforts to help
them help themselves....
To our sister republics south of our border,
we offer a special pledge–to convert our good
words into good deeds–in a new alliance for
progress....
To that world assembly of sovereign states,
the United Nations... we renew our pledge of
support....
Finally, to those nations who would make
themselves our adversary we offer not a pledge
but a request that both sides begin anew the
quest for peace....
So let us begin anew–remembering on both
sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and
sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never
negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to
negotiate....
Now the trumpet summons us again... [to]
a struggle against the common enemies of man:
tyranny, poverty, disease and war itself....
And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what
your country can do for you–ask what you can
do for your country.
|
