For all the disorders that we must deal with, and all the frustrations that concern us, and all the anxieties that we are called upon to resolve, for all the issues we must face with the agony that attends them, let us remember that “those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigues of supporting it.”

But let us also count not only our burdens but our blessings—­for they are many.

And let us give thanks to the One who governs us all.

Let us draw encouragement from the signs of hope—­for they, too, are many.

Let us remember that we have been tested before and America has never been found wanting.

So with your understanding, I would hope your confidence, and your support, we are going to persist—­and we are going to succeed.

***

State of the Union Address
Lyndon B. Johnson
January 17, 1968

Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, Members of the Congress, and my fellow
Americans: 

I was thinking as I was walking down the aisle tonight of what Sam Rayburn told me many years ago:  The Congress always extends a very warm welcome to the President—­as he comes in.

Thank all of you very, very much.

I have come once again to this Chamber—­the home of our democracy—­to give you, as the Constitution requires, “Information of the State of the Union.”

I report to you that our country is challenged, at home and abroad: 

—­that it is our will that is being tried, not our strength; our sense of purpose, not our ability to achieve a better America;

—­that we have the strength to meet our every challenge; the physical strength to hold the course of decency and compassion at home; and the moral strength to support the cause of peace in the world.

And I report to you that I believe, with abiding conviction, that this people—­nurtured by their deep faith, tutored by their hard lessons, moved by their high aspirations—­have the will to meet the trials that these times impose.

Since I reported to you last January: 

—­Three elections have been held in Vietnam—­in the midst of war and under the constant threat of violence.

—­A President, a Vice President, a House and Senate, and village officials have been chosen by popular, contested ballot.

—­The enemy has been defeated in battle after battle.

—­The number of South Vietnamese living in areas under Government protection tonight has grown by more than a million since January of last year.

These are all marks of progress.  Yet: 

—­The enemy continues to pour men and material across frontiers and into battle, despite his continuous heavy losses.

—­He continues to hope that America’s will to persevere can be broken.  Well—­he is wrong.  America will persevere.  Our patience and our perseverance will match our power.  Aggression will never prevail.