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FRUMA ARE "NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS SERVICE" HOLD FOR RELEASE HOLD FOR RELEASE HOLD FOR RELEASE September 18, 1948 CONFIDENTIAL: The following address of the President, to be delivered on the occasion of the National Plowing Match at Dexter, Iowa, today, Saturday, September 18, 1948, MUST BE HELD IN STRICT CONFIDENCE and no portion, synopsis or intimation may be given out, broadcast or published UNTIL DELIVERY HAS BEGUN. The same release applies to all newspapers, radio an- nouncers and news broadcasters. PLEASE USE CARE TO AVOID PREMATURE PUBLICATION OR RADIO ANNOUNCEMENT. CHARLES G. ROSS Secretary to the President I am glad to be here. It does my heart good to see the grain fields of the Nation again. They are a wonderful sight. The record-breaking harvests you have been getting in recent years have been a blessing. Millions of people have been saved from starvation by the food you have produced. The whole world has reason to be everlastingly grateful to the farmers of the United States. In a very real sense, the abundant harvests of this country are helping to save the world from Communism. Communism thrives on human misery. And the crops you are producing are driving back the tide of misery in many lands. Your farms are a vital element in America's foreign policy. And while I am on that subject -- I know that the war talk which is SO prevalent today is causing all of you deep concern. It is plain enough that we are facing a very disturbing international situation. I should like every American to realize that this country is making every possible effort to preserve the peace. In this critical situation, my motto has been: "Keep your temper and stand firm." We have kept our tempers. We have stood firm. And we have been reasonable and straightforward at all times. It is the policy of this Government to continue working for peace with every instrument at our command. At the same time, we have been rapidly building up our strength. The peace of the world and the prestige of the United States require that the Nation be strong and vigilant. But that is not the main point I wish to cover today. In addition to the issue of peace, there is another important reason why this is a critical period for America. I am talking about our economic future -- your economic future. Will this Nation succeed in keeping its prosperity? Will it preserve its high standards of living next year, and the year after, and the year after that? (OVER)