XI

We have surveyed briefly some problems of our people and a portion of the tasks before us.

The hope of freedom itself depends, in real measure, upon our strength, our heart, and our wisdom.

We must be strong in arms.  We must be strong in the source of all our armament, our productivity.  We all—­workers and farmers, foremen and financiers, technicians and builders—­all must produce, produce more, and produce yet more.

We must be strong, above all, in the spiritual resources upon which all else depends.  We must be devoted with all our heart to the values we defend.  We must know that each of these values and virtues applies with equal force at the ends of the earth and in our relations with our neighbor next door.  We must know that freedom expresses itself with equal eloquence in the right of workers to strike in the nearby factory, and in the yearnings and sufferings of the peoples of Eastern Europe.

As our heart summons our strength, our wisdom must direct it.

There is, in world affairs, a steady course to be followed between an assertion of strength that is truculent and a confession of helplessness that is cowardly.

There is, in our affairs at home, a middle way between untrammeled freedom of the individual and the demands for the welfare of the whole Nation.  This way must avoid government by bureaucracy as carefully as it avoids neglect of the helpless.

In every area of political action, free men must think before they can expect to win.

In this spirit must we live and labor:  confident of our strength, compassionate in our heart, clear in our mind.

In this spirit, let us together turn to the great tasks before us.

***

State of the Union Address
Dwight D. Eisenhower
January 7, 1954

Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Eighty-third Congress: 

It is a high honor again to present to the Congress my views on the state of the Union and to recommend measures to advance the security, prosperity, and well-being of the American people.

All branches of this Government—­and I venture to say both of our great parties—­can support the general objective of the recommendations I make today, for that objective is the building of a stronger America.  A nation whose every citizen has good reason for bold hope; where effort is rewarded and prosperity is shared; where freedom expands and peace is secure—­that is what I mean by a stronger America.

Toward this objective a real momentum has been developed during this Administration’s first year in office.  We mean to continue that momentum and to increase it.  We mean to build a better future for this nation.

Much for which we may be thankful has happened during the past year.

First of all we are deeply grateful that our sons no longer die on the distant mountains of Korea.  Although they are still called from our homes to military service, they are no longer called to the field of battle.