Ask the Scholar

Politicans have often sought to define the greatness of America, but few have succeeded in capturing the essence of the American spirit as Herbert Hoover did in this brief speech on the ocassion of his 74th birthday in 1948. Immediately recognized as one of his better speeches, it has stood the test of time and deserves recognition for its insights and celebration of those qualities which continue to make America special. Recalling that despite humble beginnings he had received "every honor to which any man could aspire", he proudly asserted that "there is no place on the whole earth except here in America where all the sons of man can have this chance." Replying to those who scoff at the qualities that made America great, he testily replied that "they never have understood and never will understand what the word 'America' means. They explain that these qualities were good while there was a continent to conquer, and an nation to build. They say that time has passed. No doubt the land frontier has passed. But the frontiers of science and better understanding of human welfare are barely opening. This new land with all its high promise cannot and will not be conquered except by men and women inspired from these same concepts of free spirit and free mind. And it is those moral and spiritual qualities which arise alone in free men which will fulfill the meaning of the word 'America'. And with them will come centuries of further greatness to America."