In every area of political action, free men must think before they can expect to win.

In this spirit must we live and labor:  confident of our strength, compassionate in our heart, clear in our mind.

In this spirit, let us together turn to the great tasks before us.

***

State of the Union Address
Dwight D. Eisenhower
January 7, 1954

Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Eighty-third Congress: 

It is a high honor again to present to the Congress my views on the state of the Union and to recommend measures to advance the security, prosperity, and well-being of the American people.

All branches of this Government—­and I venture to say both of our great parties—­can support the general objective of the recommendations I make today, for that objective is the building of a stronger America.  A nation whose every citizen has good reason for bold hope; where effort is rewarded and prosperity is shared; where freedom expands and peace is secure—­that is what I mean by a stronger America.

Toward this objective a real momentum has been developed during this Administration’s first year in office.  We mean to continue that momentum and to increase it.  We mean to build a better future for this nation.

Much for which we may be thankful has happened during the past year.

First of all we are deeply grateful that our sons no longer die on the distant mountains of Korea.  Although they are still called from our homes to military service, they are no longer called to the field of battle.

The nation has just completed the most prosperous year in its history.  The damaging effect of inflation on the wages, pensions, salaries and savings of us all has been brought under control.  Taxes have begun to go down.  The cost of our government has been reduced and its work proceeds with some 183,000 fewer employees; thus the discouraging trend of modern governments toward their own limitless expansion has in our case been reversed.  The cost of armaments becomes less oppressive as we near our defense goals; yet we are militarily stronger every day.  During the year, creation of the new Cabinet Department of Health, Education, and Welfare symbolized the government’s permanent concern with the human problems of our citizens.

Segregation in the armed forces and other Federal activities is on the way out.  We have also made progress toward its elimination in the District of Columbia.  These are steps in the continuing effort to eliminate inter-racial difficulty.

Some developments beyond our shores have been equally encouraging.  Communist aggression, halted in Korea, continues to meet in Indo-china the vigorous resistance of France and the Associated States, assisted by timely aid from our country.  In West Germany, in Iran, and in other areas of the world, heartening political victories have been won by the forces of stability and freedom.  Slowly but surely, the free world gathers strength.  Meanwhile, from behind the iron curtain, there are signs that tyranny is in trouble and reminders that its structure is as brittle as its surface is hard.