Many new items of business likewise require our attention-measures that will further promote the release of the energies of our people; that will broaden opportunity for all of them; that will advance the Republic in its leadership toward a just peace; measures, in short, that are essential to the building of an everstronger, ever-better America.

Every political and economic guide supports a valid confidence that wise effort will be rewarded by an even more plentiful harvest of human benefit than we now enjoy.  Our resources are too many, our principles too dynamic, our purposes too worthy and the issues at stake too immense for us to entertain doubt or fear.  But our responsibilities require that we approach this year’s business with a sober humility.

A heedless pride in our present strength and position would blind us to the facts of the past, to the pitfalls of the future.  We must walk ever in the knowledge that we are enriched by a heritage earned in the labor and sacrifice of our forebears; that, for our children’s children, we are trustees of a great Republic and a time-tested political system; that we prosper as a cooperating member of the family of nations.

In this light the Administration has continued work on its program for the Republic, begun three years ago.  Because the vast spread of national and human interests is involved within it, I shall not in this Message attempt its detailed delineation.  Instead, from time to time during this Session, there will be submitted to the Congress specific recommendations within specific fields.  In the comprehensive survey required for their preparation, the Administration is guided by enduring objectives.  The first is: 

THE DISCHARGE OF OUR WORLD RESPONSIBILITY

Our world policy and our actions are dedicated to the achievement of peace with justice for all nations.

With this purpose, we move in a wide variety of ways and through many agencies to remove the pall of fear; to strengthen the ties with our partners and to improve the cooperative cohesion of the free world; to reduce the burden of armaments, and to stimulate and inspire action among all nations for a world of justice and prosperity and peace.  These national objectives are fully supported by both our political parties.

In the past year, our search for a more stable and just peace has taken varied forms.  Among the most important were the two Conferences at Geneva, in July and in the fall of last year.  We explored the possibilities of agreement on critical issues that jeopardize the peace.

The July meeting of Heads of Government held out promise to the world of moderation in the bitterness, of word and action, which tends to generate conflict and war.  All were in agreement that a nuclear war would be an intolerable disaster which must not be permitted to occur.  But in October, when the Foreign Ministers met again, the results demonstrated conclusively that the Soviet leaders are not yet willing to create the indispensable conditions for a secure and lasting peace.