John F. Kennedy: Inaugural Address
SIBU BABU
January 20, 1961
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Vice President Johnson, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Chief Justice, President
Eisenhower, Vice President Nixon, President Truman, Reverend Clergy,
fellow citizens: - We observe today not a victory of party but a
celebration of freedom-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.
We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first
revolution. 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. United, there is little we
cannot do in a host of cooperative ventures. Divided, there is little
we can do-for we dare not meet a powerful challenge at odds and split
asunder.
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. We shall not always
expect to find them supporting our view. But we shall always hope to
find them strongly supporting their own freedom-and to remember that,
in the past, those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the
tiger ended up inside.
To those people 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, for whatever period is required-not because the
Communists may be doing it, not because we seek their votes, but
because it is right. If a free society cannot help the many who are
poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.
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 assist free men and free governments in casting off the
chains of poverty. But this peaceful revolution of hope cannot become
the prey of hostile powers. Let all our neighbors know that we shall
join with them to oppose aggression or subversion anywhere in the
Americas. And let every other power know that this hemisphere intends
to remain the master of its own house.
To that world assembly of sovereign states, the United Nations, our
last best hope in an age where the instruments of war have far outpaced
the instruments of peace, we renew our pledge of support-to prevent it
from becoming merely a forum for invective-to strengthen its shield of
the new and the weak-and to enlarge the area in which its writ may run.
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, before the dark powers of destruction unleashed by science
engulf all humanity in planned or accidental self-destruction.
We dare not tempt them with weakness. For only when our arms are
sufficient beyond doubt can we be certain beyond doubt that they will
never be employed. But neither can two great and powerful groups of
nations take comfort from our present course-both sides overburdened by
the cost of modern weapons, both rightly alarmed by the steady spread
of the deadly atom, yet both racing to alter that uncertain balance of
terror that stays the hand of mankind's final war. 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.
Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring
those problems which divide us.
Let both sides, for the first time, formulate serious and precise
proposals for the inspection and control of arms-and bring the absolute
power to destroy other nations under the absolute control of all
nations.
Let both sides seek to invoke the wonders of science instead of its
terror. Together let us explore the stars, conquer the deserts,
eradicate disease, tap the ocean depths and encourage the arts and
commerce.
Let both sides unite to heed in all corners of the earth the command of
Isaiah- to "undo the heavy burdens. . .[and] let the oppressed go
free."
And if a beach-head of co-operation may push back the jungle of
suspicion, let both sides join in creating a new endeavor not a new
balance of power, but a new world of law, where the strong are just and
the weak secure and the peace preserved. All this will not be finished
in the first 100 days. Nor will it be finished in the first 1,000 days,
not in the life of this Administration, nor even perhaps in our
lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.
In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than mine, will rest the final
success or failure of our course. Since this country was founded, each
generation of Americans has been summoned to give testimony to its
national loyalty. The graves of young Americans who answered the call
to service surround the globe.
Now the trumpet summons us again-not as a call to bear arms, though
arms we need-not as a call to battle, though embattled we are-but a
call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle year in and year
out, "rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation"-a struggle against the
common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease and war itself.
Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, north
and south, east and west, that can assure a more fruitful life for all
mankind? Will you join in that historic effort?
In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been
granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I
do not shrink from this responsibility-I welcome it. I do not believe
that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other
generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this
endeavor will light our country and all who serve it-and the glow from
that fire can truly light the world.
And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you-
ask what you can do for your country.
My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you,
but what together we can do for the freedom of man.
Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world,
ask of us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which
we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with
history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land
we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on
earth God's work must truly be our own.