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 forbearers 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...
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.
John
F. Kennedy
