We can find plenty of things to differ about without destroying our free institutions and without abandoning our bipartisan foreign policy for peace.

When everything is said and done, all of us—­Republicans and Democrats alike—­all of us are Americans; and we are all going to sink or swim together.

We are moving through a perilous time.  Faced with a terrible threat of aggression, our Nation has embarked upon a great effort to help establish the kind of world in which peace shall be secure.  Peace is our goal-not peace at any price, but a peace based on freedom and justice.  We are now in the midst of our effort to reach that goal.  On the whole, we have been doing very well.

Last year, 1951, was a year in which we threw back aggression, added greatly to our military strength, and improved the chances for peace and freedom in many parts of the world.

This year, 1952, is a critical year in the defense effort of the whole free world.  If we falter we can lose all the gains we have made.  If we drive ahead, with courage and vigor and determination, we can by the end of 1952 be in a position of much greater security.  The way will be dangerous for the years ahead, but if we put forth our best efforts this year—­and next year—­we can be “over the hump” in our effort to build strong defenses.

When we look at the record of the past year, 1951, we find important things on both the credit and the debit side of the ledger.  We have made great advances.  At the same time we have run into new problems which must be overcome.

Now let us look at the credit side first.

Peace depends upon the free nations sticking together, and making a combined effort to check aggression and prevent war.  In this respect, 1951 was a year of great achievement.

In Korea the forces of the United Nations turned hack the Chinese Communist invasion-and did it without widening the area of conflict.  The action of the United Nations in Korea has been a powerful deterrent to a third world war.  However, the situation in Korea remains very hazardous.  The outcome of the armistice negotiation still remains uncertain.

In Indochina and Malaya, our aid has helped our allies to hold back the Communist advance, although there are signs of further trouble in that area.

In 1951 we strengthened the chances of peace in the Pacific region by the treaties with Japan and the defense arrangements with Australia, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

In Europe combined defense has become a reality.  The free nations have created a real fighting force.  This force is not yet as strong as it needs to be; but it is already a real obstacle to any attempt by hostile forces to sweep across Europe to the Atlantic.

In 1951 we also moved to strengthen the security of Europe by the agreement to bring Greece and Turkey into the North Atlantic Treaty.

The United Nations, the world’s greatest hope for peace, has come through a year of trial stronger and more useful than ever.  The free nations have stood together in blocking Communist attempts to tear up the charter.