We the people—­starting the third century of a dream and standing up to some cynic who’s trying to tell us we’re not going to get any better.  Are we at the end?  Well, I can’t tell it any better than the real thing—­a story recorded by James Madison from the final moments of the Constitutional Convention, September 17th, 1787.  As the last few members signed the document, Benjamin Franklin—­the oldest delegate at 81 years and in frail health—­looked over toward the chair where George Washington daily presided.  At the back of the chair was painted the picture of a Sun on the horizon.  And turning to those sitting next to him, Franklin observed that artists found it difficult in their painting to distinguish between a rising and a setting Sun.

Well, I know if we were there, we could see those delegates sitting around Franklin—­leaning in to listen more closely to him.  And then Dr. Franklin began to share his deepest hopes and fears about the outcome of their efforts, and this is what he said:  “I have often looked at that picture behind the President without being able to tell whether it was a rising or setting Sun:  But now at length I have the happiness to know that it is a rising and not a setting Sun.”  Well, you can bet it’s rising because, my fellow citizens, America isn’t finished.  Her best days have just begun.

Thank you, God bless you, and God bless America.

Note:  The President spoke at 9:03 p.m. in the House Chamber of the Capitol.  He was introduced by Jim Wright, Speaker of the House of Representatives.  The address was broadcast live on nationwide radio and television.

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State of the Union Address
Ronald Reagan
January 25, 1988

Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, and distinguished Members of the House and Senate:  When we first met here 7 years ago—­many of us for the first time—­it was with the hope of beginning something new for America.  We meet here tonight in this historic Chamber to continue that work.  If anyone expects just a proud recitation of the accomplishments of my administration, I say let’s leave that to history; we’re not finished yet.  So, my message to you tonight is put on your work shoes; we’re still on the job.

History records the power of the ideas that brought us here those 7 years ago—­ideas like the individual’s right to reach as far and as high as his or her talents will permit; the free market as an engine of economic progress.  And as an ancient Chinese philosopher, Lao-tzu, said:  “Govern a great nation as you would cook a small fish; do not overdo it.”  Well, these ideas were part of a larger notion, a vision, if you will, of America herself—­an America not only rich in opportunity for the individual but an America, too, of strong families and vibrant neighborhoods; an America whose divergent but harmonizing communities were a reflection of a deeper community of values:  the value of work, of family, of religion, and of the love of freedom that God places in each of us and whose defense He has entrusted in a special way to this nation.