The war will leave deep disturbances in the world economy, in our national economy, in many communities, in many families, and in many individuals.  It will require determined effort and responsible action of all of us to find our way back to peacetime, and to help others to find their way back to peacetime—­a peacetime that holds the values of the past and the promise of the future.

If we attack our problems with determination we shall succeed.  And we must succeed.  For freedom and peace cannot exist without security.

During the past year the American people, in a national election, reasserted their democratic faith.

In the course of that campaign various references were made to “strife” between this Administration and the Congress, with the implication, if not the direct assertion, that this Administration and the Congress could never work together harmoniously in the service of the Nation.

It cannot be denied that there have been disagreements between the legislative and executive branches—­as there have been disagreements during the past century and a half.

I think we all realize too that there are some people in this Capital City whose task is in large part to stir up dissension, and to magnify normal healthy disagreements so that they appear to be irreconcilable conflicts.

But—­I think that the over-all record in this respect is eloquent:  The Government of the United States of America—­all branches of it—­has a good record of achievement in this war.

The Congress, the Executive, and the Judiciary have worked together for the common good.

I myself want to tell you, the Members of the Senate and of the House of Representatives, how happy I am in our relationships and friendships.  I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting some of the new Members in each House, but I hope that opportunity will offer itself in the near future.

We have a great many problems ahead of us and we must approach them with realism and courage.

This new year of 1945 can be the greatest year of achievement in human history.

Nineteen forty-five can see the final ending of the Nazi-Fascist reign of terror in Europe.

Nineteen forty-five can see the closing in of the forces of retribution about the center of the malignant power of imperialistic Japan.

Most important of all—­1945 can and must see the substantial beginning of the organization of world peace.  This organization must be the fulfillment of the promise for which men have fought and died in this war.  It must be the justification of all the sacrifices that have been made—­of all the dreadful misery that this world has endured.

We Americans of today, together with our allies, are making history—­and I hope it will be better history than ever has been made before.

We pray that we may be worthy of the unlimited opportunities that God has given us.