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Bound copy of Mr. Nixon's speech, "It is time to speak up for America." 17 pgs. [Newsletter], 7/28/1960
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Bound copy of Mr. Nixon's speech, "It is time to speak up for America." 17 pgs. [Newsletter], 7/28/1960
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Richard Nixon Presidential Library
White House Special Files Collection
Folder List
Box Number Folder Number Document Date
Document Type
Document Description
56
7
07/28/1960
Newsletter
Bound copy of Mr. Nixon's speech, "It is
time to speak up for America." 17 pgs.
Monday, July 30, 2007
Page 1 of 1
"It is time to speak up for America."
Mr. Chairman, delegates to this con-
"When Mr. Khrushchev says that our
vention, my fellow Americans: I have
made many speeches in my life, yet
grandchildren shall live under Communism, let us say
never have I found it more difficult to
find words adequate to express what I
that his grandchildren will live in freedom."
feel than I do tonight.
To stand here before this great con-
vention, to hear your expressions of
affection for me, for Pat, for our daugh-
ters, for my mother, for all of us who
are representing our Party, is, of course,
the greatest moment of my life.
I want you to know that my only
prayer as I stand here is that in the
months ahead I may be in some way
worthy of the affection and the trust
which you have presented to me on this
occasion-in everything that I say, in
everything that I do, in everything that
I think in this campaign and afterwards.
May I also say that I have been want-
ing to come to this convention, but be-
cause of the protocol that makes it
necessary that a candidate not attend
I have never been so proud of my
the convention until the nominations are
over, I have had to watch it on television.
Party as I have been in these last
I have never been SO proud of my Party
three days.
as I have been in these last three days as
I compared this convention and the con-
duct of our delegates and our speakers
with what went on in my native state of
California just two weeks ago. I con-
gratulate Chairman Halleck and Chair-
man Morton and all of those who have
helped to make this convention one that
will stand in the annals of our Party
forever as one of the finest we have
ever held.
Have you ever stopped to think of the
memories you will take away from this
convention? The things that run through
An address by Richard M. Nixon, Vice President
my mind are these: That first day, with
its magnificent speeches-Mr. Hoover
of the United States, accepting the Republican
with his great lessons for the American
National Convention's nomination as candidate
people; Walter Judd, with one of the
most outstanding keynote addresses in
for the Presidency of the United States—
either Party in history; our platform
and its magnificent presentation by
July 28, 1960
Chuck Percy, the Chairman; and last
night our beloved, fighting President,
making the greatest speech I ever heard
him make. All of this is part of our
convention.
1
For these and for SO many other things
in confronting new and challenging
I want to congratulate you tonight and
world problems of utmost gravity. This
I particularly want to thank this
to thank you from the bottom of my
truly is the time for greatness in
convention for nominating as my
heart on behalf of Americans-not just
America's leadership.
running-mate a world statesman
Republicans, but Americans everywhere
I am sure you will understand why I
-for making us proud of our country
do not say tonight that I alone am the
of the first rank, my friend and
and of our two-Party system.
man who can furnish that leadership.
colleague, Henry Cabot Lodge of
Tonight too, I particularly want to
That question is not for me to decide,
Massachusetts.
thank this convention for nominating as
but for you-and I only ask that the
my running-mate a world statesman of
thousands of you in this hall and the
the first rank, my friend and colleague,
millions of you listening to me on tele-
Henry Cabot Lodge of Massachusetts.
vision make that decision in the most
In refreshing contrast to what happened
thoughtful way you possibly can, be-
in Los Angeles, you nominated a man
cause what you decide this November
who shares my views on the great issues
will not only affect your lives and your
I am sure you will understand
and who will work with me and not
future, it will affect the future of mil-
why I do not say tonight that I
against me in carrying out our magnifi-
lions throughout the world. I urge you
cent platform.
to study the records of the candidates,
alone am the man who can fur-
During this week we Republicans with
to listen to my speeches and my oppon-
nish that leadership.
strong convictions about our Party and
ent's, and Mr. Lodge's and his oppon-
about our country had our differences—
ent's, and then, after you have studied
but as the speech by Senator Barry
our records and listened to our speeches,
Goldwater indicated yesterday, and the
decide. Decide, on the basis of what we
elegant and gracious remarks of my
say and what we believe, who is best
friend Nelson Rockefeller indicated to-
qualified to lead America and the free
night, we know that the differences that
world in this critical period.
divided us were infinitesimal compared
To help you make this decision I would
to the gulf between ourselves and the
like to discuss tonight some of the great
Democrats as a result of what they did
problems which will confront the next
at Los Angeles during their convention
President of the United States and the
two weeks ago.
policies that I believe should be adopted
It was only eight years ago that I
to meet them.
stood in this very place after you nomi-
One hundred years ago, in this very
nated as our candidate for the President
city, Abraham Lincoln was nominated
one of the great men of our century.
for President of the United States. The
Now, I say to you that for generations
problems which will confront our next
For generations to come Ameri-
to come Americans, regardless of party,
President will be even greater than those
cans, regardless of party, will
will gratefully remember Dwight Eisen-
that confronted Lincoln. The question
hower as the man who brought peace to
then was freedom for the slaves and
gratefully remember Dwight
America, as the man under whose lead-
survival of the nation. The question now
Eisenhower as the man who
ership Americans enjoyed the greatest
is freedom for all mankind and the sur-
brought peace to America.
progress and prosperity in history. And
vival of civilization. The choice that
above all, they will remember him as
each of you listening to me makes this
the man who restored honesty, integrity
November can affect the answer to that
and dignity to the conduct of govern-
question.
ment and to the highest office of this
What should your choice be? Let us
land.
first examine what our opponents offered
My fellow Americans, I know now that
in Los Angeles two weeks ago. They
you will understand what I am about
claimed theirs was a new program, but
to say, because the next President of
you know what it was. It was simply
the United States will have Dwight
the same old proposition that a political
2
Eisenhower's great example to follow
3
party should be all things to all men,
my answer: In this campaign we are
and nothing more than that, and they
taking no states for granted, and we are
promised everything to everybody with
conceding no states to the opposition.
one exception: they didn't promise to
I announce to you tonight-and I pledge
pay the bill.
We are taking no states for
to you-that I personally will carry this
And I say tonight that with their
campaign into every one of the fifty
granted, and we are conceding
convention, their platform, and their
states of this nation between now and
no states to the opposition.
ticket, they composed a symphony of
November 8.
political cynicism which is out of har-
And in this campaign I make a pre-
I serve notice here and now that
mony with our times today.
diction-I say that just as in 1952 and
whatever the political conse-
Now, we come to the key question,
1956 millions of Democrats will join us
what should our answer be? Some might
in 1960, not because they are deserting
quences, we are not going to try
say to do as they do-and even out-
their Party, but because their Party
to out-promise our opponents in
promise them because that is the only
deserted them at Los Angeles two weeks
this campaign.
way to win. I want to tell you my
ago.
answer.
Now, I have suggested to you what
I happen to believe that their program
our friends of the opposition offered to
would be disastrous for America, that
the American people. What do we offer?
it would wreck our economy and that it
First, we are proud to offer the best
would dash our people's high hopes for
eight-year record of any administration
a better life. So I serve notice here and
in the history of this country. But, my
now that whatever the political conse-
fellow Americans, that isn't all and that
quences, we are not going to try to out-
isn't enough. We happen to believe that
promise our opponents in this campaign.
a record is not something to stand on,
A record is not something to
We are not going to try to buy
We are not going to make promises we
but something to build on. In building
cannot and should not keep, and we are
on the record of this administration we
stand on, but something to build
the people's votes with their own
not going to try to buy the people's votes
shall build a better America. We shall
on.
money.
with their own money.
build an America in which we shall see
To those who say that this position
the realization of the dreams of millions
will mean political defeat, my answer is
of people not only in America but
this: We have more faith than that in
throughout the world for a fuller, freer,
the good sense of the American people,
richer life than men have ever known
provided the people know the facts.
in the history of mankind.
I pledge to you tonight that we will
Let me tell you something of the goals
bring the facts home to the American
of this better America toward which
people, and we will do it with a cam-
we will strive. In this America, our
paign such as this country has never
older citizens shall have not only ade-
seen before.
quate protection against the hazards of
I have been asked all week by the
ill health, but-rather than sitting on
newsmen sitting on my right and left,
the sidelines-they shall have a greater
"When is this campaign going to begin,
opportunity to lead useful and produc-
Mr. Vice President? On Labor Day or
tive lives by participating to the extent
This campaign begins tonight,
one of the other traditional starting
they are able in the nation's exciting
dates?" This is my answer: This cam-
work.
here and now, and this campaign
paign begins tonight, here and now, and
And in the better America, young
will continue without letup from
this campaign will continue without let-
Americans shall have not only the best
now until November 8.
up from now until November 8.
basic education, but every boy and girl
I have also been asked by my friends
of ability, regardless of financial circum-
in the press, "Mr. Vice President, where
stances, shall have the opportunity to
are you going to concentrate? What
develop intellectual capabilities to the
states are you going to visit This is
fullest.
4
5
Our wage earners shall enjoy increas-
Do you know why? Because, as Gov-
ingly higher wages in honest dollars,
ernor Rockefeller said in his remarks,
with better protection against the haz-
we put our primary reliance not upon
Do you know why? Because, as
ards of unemployment and old age.
government but upon people for progress
Governor Rockefeller said in his
For those millions of Americans who
in America. That is why we will succeed.
remarks, we put our primary
are still denied equality of rights and
We must never forget that the
opportunity, I say there shall be the
strength of America is not in its gov-
reliance not upon government
greatest progress in human rights since
ernment, but in its people. And we say
but upon people for progress in
the days of Lincoln one hundred years
tonight there is no limit to the goals
America. That is why we will
ago.
America can reach, provided we stay
succeed.
America's farmers, to whose hard
true to the great American traditions.
work and almost incredible efficiency we
A government has a role, and a very
owe the fact that we are the best fed,
important one. The role of government
best clothed people in the world, I say
is not to take responsibility from people,
America's farmers must and will receive
but to put responsibility on them. It is
what they do not have today, and what
not to dictate to people, but to encourage
they deserve-a fair share of America's
and stimulate the creative productivity
ever-increasing prosperity.
of 180,000,000 free Americans. That is
To accomplish these things we will
the way to progress in America.
develop to the full the untapped natural
In other words, we have faith in the
resources, our water, our minerals, our
people, and because our programs for
power with which we are SO fortunate
progress are based on that faith, we
to be blessed in this rich land. We shall
shall succeed where our opponents will
provide for our scientists the support
fail, in building the better America that
they need for the research that will open
I have described.
exciting new highways into a future in
But if these goals are to be reached,
In this decade of decision and
which we shall have progress which we
the next President of the United States
progress we will witness the con-
cannot even dream of today.
must have the wisdom to choose between
tinued revitalization of America's
Above all, in this decade of decision
the things government should and should
and progress we will witness the con-
not do. He must have the courage to
moral and spiritual strength, with
tinued revitalization of America's moral
stand against the pressures of the few
a renewed faith in the eternal
and spiritual strength, with a renewed
for the good of the many. And he must
ideals of freedom and justice
faith in the eternal ideals of freedom and
have the vision to press forward on all
under God which are our priceless
justice under God which are our price-
fronts for the better life our people want.
less heritage as a people.
Now, I have spoken to you of the re-
heritage as a people.
Now, I am sure that many of you in
sponsibilities of our next President at
this hall, and many of you watching on
home. Those which he will face abroad
television, might well ask, "But Mr.
will be infinitely greater. But before I
Nixon, don't our opponents favor just
look to the future, let me say a word
such goals as this?" And my answer is,
about the past.
"Yes, of course." All Americans re-
At Los Angeles two weeks ago, we
gardless of Party want a better life for
heard the United States-our govern-
our people.
ment-blamed for Mr. Khrushchev's
What is the difference then' I will
sabotage of the Paris Conference. We
tell you what it is. The difference is in
heard the United States blamed for the
We produce on the promises that
the way we propose to reach these goals.
actions of Communist-led mobs in Cara-
they make. We succeed where
The record shows that our way works
cas and Tokyo. We heard that American
and theirs doesn't, and we are going to
education and American scientists are
they fail.
prove it in this campaign. We produce
inferior. We heard that America mili-
on the promises that they make. We
tarily and economically is a second-rate
succeed where they fail.
country. We heard that American pres-
6
tige is at an all-time low.
7
This is my reply: I say that a time
but he must never be belligerent. He
the Communists are running us down
must never engage in a war of words
At a time the Communists are
abroad, it is time to speak up for
which might heat up the international
running us down abroad, it is time
America at home. Let us recognize that
climate to the igniting point of nuclear
America has its weaknesses, and that
to speak up for America at home.
catastrophe.
constructive criticism of those weak-
But while he must never answer in-
America will not tolerate being
nesses is essential-essential SO that we
sults in kind, he must leave no doubt at
can correct our weaknesses in the best
pushed around by anybody. We
any time that in Berlin or in Cuba or
traditions of our democratic process.
anywhere else in the world, America will
have already paid a terrible price
But let us also recognize this: while it
not tolerate being pushed around by any-
in lives and resources to learn
is dangerous to see nothing wrong in
Today America is the strongest
body. We have already paid a terrible
America, it is just as wrong to refuse to
that appeasement leads not to
price in lives and resources to learn that
nation militarily, economically,
recognize what is right about America.
peace but to war.
appeasement leads not to peace but to
ideologically in the world; and
No criticism should be allowed to ob-
war.
scure the truth either at home or abroad
we have the will and the stamina
It will indeed take great leadership to
that today America is the strongest
and the resources to maintain
steer us through these years, avoiding
nation militarily, economically, ideologi-
the extremes of belligerency on the one
that strength in the years ahead.
cally in the world; and we have the will
hand, and appeasement on the other.
and the stamina and the resources to
Now, Mr. Kennedy has suggested that
maintain that strength in the years
what the world needs is young leader-
ahead.
ship; and, understandably this has great
Now, turning to the future. We must
appeal. It is true that youth does bring
recognize that the foreign policy prob-
boldness and imagination and drive to
lems of the '60's will be different and
leadership, and we need all those things.
they will be vastly more difficult than
But I think most people will agree with
those of the '50's through which we
me tonight when I say that President
have just passed.
De Gaulle, Prime Minister Macmillan
We are in a race tonight, my fellow
and Chancellor Adenauer may not be
Americans, a race for survival in which
young men-but we are indeed fortunate
our lives, our fortunes, our liberties are
in that we have their wisdom and their
at stake. We are ahead now, but the
experience and their courage on our side
only way to stay ahead in a race is to
The United States must never set-
in the struggle for freedom today in
move ahead; and the next President will
the world.
tle for second best in anything.
make decisions which will determine
whether we win or whether we lose this
And I might suggest that as we con-
sider the relative merits of youth and
race.
What must he do? He must resolve
age, it is only fair to point out that it
first and above all that the United States
was not Mr. De Gaulle, Mr. Macmillan, or
must never settle for second best in
Mr. Adenauer, but Mr. Kennedy who
We must make sure that we are
anything. Militarily, the security of the
made the rash and impulsive suggestion
that President Eisenhower could have
never in a position at the confer-
United States must be put before all
ence table where Mr. Khrushchev
other considerations. Why? Not only
apologized or sent regrets to Mr. Khru-
because this is necessary to deter ag-
shchev for the U-2 flights which the
or his successor is able to coerce
President had ordered to save our coun-
gression, but because we must make
an American president because
sure that we are never in a position at
try from surprise attack.
the conference table where Mr. Khru-
But formidable as will be the diplo-
of Communist strength and our
shchev or his successor is able to coerce
matic and military problems confronting
weakness.
an American president because of Com-
the next President, far more difficult
and critical will be the decisions he must
munist strength and our weakness.
make to meet and defeat the enemies of
Diplomatically, let us look at what the
problem is. Diplomatically, our next
freedom in an entirely different kind of
President must be firm on principles;
struggle. Here I want to speak to you
8
9
First, we must take the steps which
of another kind of aggression, aggres-
will assure that the American economy
sion without war, where the aggressor
grows at a maximum rate SO that we
comes not as a conqueror, but as a
can maintain our present massive lead
champion of peace, of freedom, offering
over the Communist bloc. How do we
progress and plenty and hope to the
do this? There isn't any magic formula
unfortunates of the earth.
by which government in a free nation
I say tonight that the major problem
can bring this about. The way to assure
The way to assure maximum
confronting the next President of the
maximum growth in America is not by
growth in America is not by ex-
United States will be to inform the peo-
expanding the functions of government,
ple of the character of this kind of
panding the functions of gov-
but by increasing the opportunities for
aggression, to arouse the people to the
ernment, but by increasing the
investment and creative enterprise for
mortal danger it presents, and to in-
millions of individual Americans.
opportunities for investment and
spire the people to meet that danger.
At a time when the Communists have
creative enterprise for millions
He must develop a brand new strategy
found it necessary to turn to decentrali-
which will win the battle for freedom
of individual Americans.
zation of their economy and to turn to
for all men and win it without a war.
the use of individual incentives to in-
That is the great task of the next Presi-
crease productivity-at a time, in other
dent of the United States. And this will
words, when they are turning our way-
be a difficult task, difficult because at
I say we must not and we will not make
times our next President must tell the
the mistake of turning their way.
people not what they want to hear, but
There is another step that we must
what they need to hear. Why, for ex-
take: our government activities must be
ample, it may be just as essential to the
At a time when the Communists
reorganized to take the initiative from
national interest to build a dam in India
the Communists and to develop and
have found it necessary to turn
as in California.
carry out a world-wide strategy and
to decentralization of their econ-
It will be difficult, too, because we
offensive for peace and freedom. The
Americans have always been able to see
omy and turn to the use of indi-
complex of agencies which have grown
and understand the danger presented by
up through the years for exchange of
vidual incentives to increase pro-
missiles and airplanes and bombs; but
persons, for technical assistance, for in-
ductivity-at a time, in other
we have found it hard to recognize the
formation, for loans and for grants-all
words, when they are turning our
even more deadly danger of the propa-
these must be welded together into one
ganda that warps the mind, the economic
way-I say we must not and we
powerful economic and ideological strik-
offensive that softens a nation, the sub-
ing force.
will not make the mistake of
version that destroys the will of a people
to resist tyranny.
What we must do is wage the battles
turning their way.
for peace and freedom with the same
Yet while this threat is, as I believe
unified direction and dedication with
it to be, the greatest danger we have
which we wage battles in war. And if
ever confronted, this is no reason for
these activities are to succeed, we must
lack of confidence in the outcome.
develop a better training program for
Do you know why? Because there is
the men and women who will represent
one great theme that runs through our
history as a nation: "Americans are
our country at home and abroad. We
Americans are always at their
always at their best when the challenge
need men with a broad knowledge of
best when the challenge is
is greatest." And we Americans shall
the intricacies and techniques of the
greatest.
rise to our greatest heights in this
strategies of the Communists, with the
decade of the '60's as we mount the
keen knowledge of the great principles
offensive to meet those forces which
for which free people stand, and, above
threaten the peace and the rights of free
all, men who with a zeal and dedication
which the Communists cannot match will
men everywhere.
There are some things we can do and
out-think, out-work and out-last the
some things we must do, and I would
enemies of freedom wherever they meet
10
like to list them for you tonight:
11
them anywhere in the world. This is the
Let us welcome Mr. Khrushchev's
kind of men we must train.
challenge to peaceful competition of our
We must recognize that government
systems; but then reply, "Let us com-
cannot do this job alone. The most effec-
pete in the Communist world as well as
tive proponents of freedom are not gov-
in the free world," because the Com-
ernments, but free people; and this
munist dictators must not be allowed
means that every American-every one
a privileged sanctuary from which to
of you listening tonight-who works or
launch their guerilla attacks on the cita-
travels abroad, must represent his coun-
dels of freedom.
try at its best in everything that he does.
Instead, we say, extend this compe-
The United States, big as it is, strong
tition, extend it to include not only food
as it is, cannot do this job alone. The
and factories as he has suggested but
best brains, the fullest resources of other
extend it to include the great spiritual
free nations, which have as great a stake
and moral values which characterize
in freedom as we have, must be mobi-
our civilization.
lized to participate with us in this task
Also, my friends, let us welcome the
to the extent they are able.
challenge, not be disconcerted by it nor
But do you know what is most impor-
fail to meet it, but welcome the challenge
tant of all? Above all, we must recog-
presented by the revolution of peaceful
nize that the greatest economic strength
peoples' aspirations in South America,
that we can imagine, and the finest gov-
in Africa.
ernment organization-all this will fail
We must not fail in this mission. We
if we are not united and inspired by a
must not fail to assist them in finding a
great idea, an idea which will be a
way to progress with freedom SO that
battlecry for a grand offensive to win
they will not be faced with the terrible
the minds and the hearts and the souls
alternative of turning to communism
of men. Do we have such an idea?
with its promise of progress at the cost
The Communists proclaim over and
of freedom.
Let the victory we seek be not
over again that their aim is the victory
Let us make it clear to them that our
of Communism throughout the world.
aim in helping them is not merely to
victory over any other nation or
It is not enough for us to reply that our
stop Communism, but that in the great
any other people. Let it be the
aim is to contain Communism, to de-
American tradition of concern for those
victory of freedom over tyranny,
fend the free world against Communism,
less fortunate than we are, we welcome
of plenty over hunger, of health
to hold the line against Communism.
the opportunity to work with people
The only answer to a strategy of victory
everywhere to help them achieve their
Our primary aim must be not to
over disease, in every country of
for the Communist world is a strategy
aspirations for a life of human dignity.
help governments but to help
the world.
of victory for the free world.
And this means that our primary aim
must be not to help governments but to
people-to help people attain the
Let the victory we seek be not victory
over any other nation or any other
help people-to help people attain the
life they deserve.
people. Let it be the victory of freedom
life they deserve.
over tyranny, of plenty over hunger, of
In essence, what I am saying tonight
health over disease, in every country of
is that our answer to the threat of the
the world.
Communist revolution is renewed devo-
When Mr. Khrushchev says our
When Mr. Khrushchev says our grand-
tion to the great ideals of the American
children will live under Communism, let
Revolution, ideals that caught the imagi-
grandchildren will live under
Our answer to the threat of the
us say his grandchildren will live in
nation of the world one hundred and
Communism, let us say his grand-
freedom. When Mr. Khrushchev says
eighty years ago and that still live in
Communist revolution is renewed
children will live in freedom.
the Monroe Doctrine is dead in the
the minds and hearts of people every-
devotion to the great ideals of
Americas, let us say the Doctrine of
where.
the American Revolution.
Freedom lives everywhere in the world.
I could tell you tonight that all you
need to do to bring about these things
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that I have just described is to elect the
Lincoln said, "In giving freedom to
right man as President of this country
these slaves we assure freedom to the
and leave these tasks to him. But, my
free. We shall not only serve or mainly
fellow Americans, America demands
lose the last best hope of the earth."
more than that of me and of you.
Teddy Roosevelt said, "Our first duty
When I visited the Soviet Union, in
as citizens of the nation is owed to the
every factory there was a huge sign
United States, but if we are true to our
which read, "Work for the victory of
principles we must also think of serving
Communism." What America needs to-
the interests of mankind at large."
day is not just a President, not just a
And Woodrow Wilson said, "A patri-
few leaders, but millions of Americans
Woodrow Wilson said, "A patri-
otic American is never SO proud of the
working for the victory of freedom. This
flag under which he lives as when it
otic American is never so proud
Each American must make a per-
means each American must make a per-
comes to mean to others, as well as
of the flag under which he lives
sonal and total commitment to the cause
himself, a symbol of hope and liberty."
sonal and total commitment to
as when it comes to mean to
of freedom and all it stands for. It means
We say today that a young America
the cause of freedom and all it
wage earners and employers must make
shall fulfill her destiny by helping to
others, as well as himself, a sym-
stands for. It means wage earn-
an extra effort to increase the produc-
build a new world in which men can
bol of hope and liberty."
tivity of our factories. It means our
ers and employers must make an
live together in peace and justice and
students in schools must strive for in-
freedom with each other. But there is
extra effort to increase the pro-
creasing excellence rather than adjust-
a difference today, an exciting differ-
ductivity of our factories. It
ing to mediocrity.
ence, and the difference is because of a
means our students in schools
It means supporting and encouraging
dramatic breakthrough in science. For
our scientists to explore the unknown,
the first time in human history we have
must strive for increasing excel-
not just for what we can get but for
the resources, the resources to wage a
lence rather than adjusting to
what we can learn, and it means each
winning war against poverty, misery and
mediocrity.
American assuming a personal responsi-
disease wherever it exists in the world.
bility for making this country which we
And upon the next President of the
love a proud symbol of freedom for all
United States will rest the responsibility
the world. Each of us, for example,
to inspire and to lead the forces of free-
should be doing his part to end the
dom toward this goal.
prejudice which one hundred years after
I am sure now that you understand
Lincoln, to our shame, still embarrasses
why I said at the beginning that it
us abroad and saps our strength at
would be difficult for any man to say
home. Each of us should participate in
that he was qualified to provide this kind
this and other political campaigns not
of leadership. I can only say to you
I believe in the American dream
just by going to the polls and voting
tonight that I believe in the American
but by working for the candidate of his
dream because I have seen it come true
because I have seen it come true
choice. Also, my fellow Americans, it
in my own life. I know something of the
in my own life.
means sacrifice-not the grim sacrifice
threat which confronts us and I know
of desperation but the rewarding sacri-
something of the effort which will be
fice of choice which lifts us out of the
needed to meet it. I have seen hate for
humdrum life in which we live and gives
America, not only in the Kremlin, but
us the supreme satisfaction which comes
in the eyes of Communists in our own
from working together in a cause greater
country, and on the face of a mob in
than ourselves, greater than our nation,
Caracas.
What I propose is not new, it is
as great as the whole world itself.
I have heard doubts about America
as old as America, and as young
What I propose is not new, it is as old
expressed, not just by Communists, but
as America, because America will
as America, and as young as America,
by sincere students and labor leaders in
never grow old.
because America will never grow old.
other countries searching for the way
You will remember that Thomas
to a better life and wondering if we had
Jefferson said, "We act not for ourselves
lost the way. And I have also seen love
alone, but for the whole human race."
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for America in countries throughout the
world, in a crowd in Chicago, in Bogota,
In Warsaw - 250,000 people on
in the heart of Siberia, and in Warsaw-
the streets on a Sunday after-
250,000 people on the streets on a Sun-
noon singing, crying with tears
day afternoon singing, crying with tears
running down their cheeks and
running down their cheeks and shouting:
"Niech Zyje America !"-Long live the
shouting: "Niech Zyje America!"
United States!
-Long live the United States!
My fellow Americans, I know that we
must resist the hate, we must remove the
doubts, but above all we must be worthy
of the love and the trust of millions on
this earth for whom America is the hope
of the world.
A hundred years ago, Abraham Lin-
coln was asked during the dark days of
the tragic War Between the States
whether he thought God was on his side.
"My concern is not whether God
His answer was, "My concern is not
is on our side, but whether we
whether God is on our side, but whether
are on God's side."
we are on God's side." My fellow Ameri-
cans, may that ever be our prayer for
our country. And in that spirit, with
faith in America, with faith in her ideals
and in her people, I accept your nomina-
tion for President of the United States.
"It is time to
speak up for America."
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