The power to mold the future of this Nation lies in our hands—­yours and mine, and they are joined together by the Constitution.

If in this year, and in the next, we can find the right course to take as each issue arises, and if, in spite of all difficulties, we have the courage and the resolution to take that course, then we shall achieve a state of well-being for our people without precedent in history.  And if we continue to work with the other nations of the world earnestly, patiently, and wisely, we can—­granting a will for peace on the part of our neighbors-make a lasting peace for the world.

But, if we are to realize these ends, the Congress and the President, during the next 2 years, must work together.  It is not unusual in our history that the majority of the Congress represents a party in opposition to the President’s party.  I am the twentieth President of the United States who, at some time during his term of office, has found his own party to be in the minority in one or both Houses of Congress.  The first one was George Washington.  Wilson was number eighteen, and Hoover was number nineteen.

I realize that on some matters the Congress and the President may have honest differences of opinion.  Partisan differences, however, did not cause material disagreements as to the conduct of the war.  Nor, in the conduct of our international relations, during and since the war, have such partisan differences been material.

On some domestic issues we may, and probably shall, disagree.  That in itself is not to be feared.  It is inherent in our form of Government.  But there are ways of disagreeing; men who differ can still work together sincerely for the common good.  We shall be risking the Nation’s safety and destroying our opportunities for progress if we do not settle any disagreements in this spirit, without thought of partisan advantage.

THE GENERAL DOMESTIC ECONOMY

As the year 1947 begins, the state of our national economy presents great opportunities for all.  We have virtually full employment.  Our national production of goods and services is 50 percent higher than in any year prior to the war emergency.  The national income in 1946 was higher than in any peacetime year.  Our food production is greater than it has ever been.  During the last 5 years our productive facilities have been expanded in almost every field.  The American standard of living is higher now than ever before, and when the housing shortage can be overcome it will be even higher.

During the past few months we have removed at a rapid rate the emergency controls that the Federal Government had to exercise during the war.  The remaining controls will be retained only as long as they are needed to protect the public.  Private enterprise must be given the greatest possible freedom to continue the expansion of economy.

In my proclamation of December 31, 1946 I announced the termination of hostilities.  This automatically ended certain temporary legislation and certain executive powers.