Man must create the moral and legal framework for the world which will insure that his new powers are used for good and not for evil.  In shaping the outcome, the people of the United States will play a leading role.

Among all the great changes that have occurred in the last 50 years, none is more important than the change in the position of the United States in world affairs.  Fifty years ago we were a country devoted largely to our own internal affairs.  Our industry was growing, and we had new interests in the Far East and in the Caribbean, but we were primarily concerned with the development of vast areas of our own continental territory.

Today, our population has doubled.  Our national production has risen from about $50 billion, in terms of today’s prices, to the staggering figure of $255 billion a year.  We have a more productive economic system and a greater industrial potential than any other nation on the globe.  Our standard of living is an inspiration for all other peoples.  Even the slightest changes in our economic and social life have their effect on other countries all around the world.

Our tremendous strength has brought with it tremendous responsibilities.  We have moved from the outer edge to the center of world affairs.  Other nations look to us for a wise exercise of our economic and military strength, and for vigorous support of the ideals of representative government and a free society.  We will not fail them.

Our objective in the world is peace.  Our country has joined with others in the task of achieving peace.  We know now that this is not an easy task, or a short one.  But we are determined to see it through.  Both of our great political parties are committed to working together—­and I am sure they will continue to work together—­to achieve this end.  We are prepared to devote our energy and our resources to this task, because we know that our own security and the future of mankind are at stake.

Right here, I want to say that no one appreciates more than I the bipartisan cooperation in foreign affairs which has been enjoyed by this administration.

Our success in working with other nations to achieve peace depends largely on what we do at home.  We must preserve our national strength.  Strength is not simply a matter of arms and force.  It is a matter of economic growth, and social health, and vigorous institutions, public and private.  We can achieve peace only if we maintain our productive energy, our democratic institutions, and our firm belief in individual freedom.

Our surest guide in the days that lie ahead will be the spirit in which this great Republic was rounded.  We must make our decisions in the conviction that all men are created equal, that they are equally entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and that the duty of government is to serve these ends.

This country of ours has experienced many blessings, but none greater than its dedication to these principles.  At every point in our history, these ideals have served to correct our failures and shortcomings, to spur us on to greater efforts, and to keep clearly before us the primary purpose of our existence as a nation.  They have enshrined for us, a principle of government, the moral imperative to do justice, and the divine command to men to love one another.