Vice-president Johnson, Mr Speaker, Mr Chief , President Eisenhower, Vice-president Nixon, President Truman, clergy, fellow citizens: We observe today a victory of party, but a of freedom - symbolising an end, well as a beginning - signifying , as well as change. For I sworn before you and almighty God same solemn oath our forebears prescribed a century and three-quarters ago.
The is very different now. For man in his mortal hands the power abolish all forms of human poverty all forms of human life. And the same revolutionary beliefs for which forebears fought are still at issue the globe - the belief that rights of man come not from generosity of the state, but from hand of God.
We dare not today that we are the heirs that first revolution. Let the word forth from this time and place, friend and foe alike, that the has been passed to a new of Americans - born in this , tempered by war, disciplined by a and bitter peace, proud of our heritage, and unwilling to witness or the slow undoing of those human to which this nation has always committed, and to which we are today at home and around the . Let every nation know, whether it us well or ill, that we pay any price, bear any burden, any hardship, support any friend, oppose foe, to assure the survival and success of liberty.
This much we - and more. To those old whose cultural and spiritual origins we , we pledge the loyalty of faithful . United, there is little we cannot in a host of cooperative ventures. , there is little we can do - we dare not meet a challenge at odds and split asunder.
those new states whom we welcome the ranks of the free, we our word that one form of control shall not have passed away to be replaced by a far iron tyranny. We shall not always to find them supporting our view. we shall always hope to find strongly supporting their own freedom - to remember that, in the past, who foolishly sought power by riding back of the tiger ended up .
To those people in the huts villages of half the globe struggling break the bonds of mass misery, pledge our best efforts to help help themselves, for whatever period is - not because the communists may doing it, not because we seek votes, but because it is right. a free society cannot help the who are poor, it cannot save few who are rich.
To our republics south of our border, we a special pledge: to convert our words into good deeds, in a alliance for progress, to assist free and free governments in casting off chains of poverty. But this peaceful of hope cannot become the prey hostile powers. Let all our neighbours that we shall join with them oppose aggression or subversion anywhere in Americas. And let every other power that this hemisphere intends to remain master of its own house.
To world assembly of sovereign states, the Nations, our last best hope in age where the instruments of war far outpaced the instruments of peace, renew our pledge of support - prevent it from becoming merely a for invective, to strengthen its shield the new and the weak, and enlarge the area in which its may run.
Finally, to those nations would make themselves our adversary, we not a pledge but a request: both sides begin anew the quest peace, before the dark powers of unleashed by science engulf all humanity planned or accidental self-destruction. We dare tempt them with weakness. For only our arms are sufficient beyond doubt we be certain beyond doubt that will never be employed.
But neither two great and powerful groups of take comfort from our present course - sides overburdened by the cost modern weapons, both rightly alarmed by steady spread of the deadly atom, both racing to alter that uncertain of terror that stays the hand mankind's final war.
So let us anew - remembering on both sides civility is not a sign of , and sincerity is always subject to . Let us never negotiate out of , but let us never fear to .
Let both sides explore what problems us instead of belabouring those problems divide us. Let both sides, for first time, formulate serious and precise for the inspection and control of , and bring the absolute power to other nations under the absolute control all nations. Let both sides seek invoke the wonders of science instead its terrors.
Together let us explore stars, conquer the deserts, eradicate disease, the ocean depths, and encourage the and commerce. Let both sides unite heed, in all corners of the , the command of Isaiah - to " the heavy burdens, and [to] let oppressed go free." And, if a of cooperation may push back the of suspicion, let both sides join creating a new endeavour - not new balance of power, but a world of law - where the are just, and the weak secure, the peace preserved.
All this will be finished in the first 100 . Nor will it be finished in first 1,000 days, nor in the of this administration, nor even perhaps our lifetime on this planet. But us begin.
In your hands, my citizens, more than mine, will rest final success or failure of our . Since this country was founded, each of Americans has been summoned to testimony to its national loyalty. The of young Americans who answered the to service surround the globe. Now trumpet summons us again - not a call to bear arms, though we need; not as a call battle, though embattled we are; but call to bear the burden of long twilight struggle, year in and out, "rejoicing in hope, patient in ", a struggle against the common enemies man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war .
Can we forge against these enemies grand and global alliance, north and , east and west, that can assure more fruitful life for all mankind? you join in that historic effort?
the long history of the world, a few generations have been granted role of defending freedom in its of maximum danger. I do not from this responsibility - I welcome .
I do not believe that any us would exchange places with any people or any other generation. The , the faith, the devotion which we to this endeavour will light our and all who serve it. And glow from that fire can truly the world.
And so, my fellow , ask not what your country can for you; ask what you can for your country. My fellow citizens the world, ask not what America do for you, but what, together, can do for the freedom of .
Finally, whether you are citizens of or citizens of the world, ask us here the same high standards strength and sacrifice which we ask you. With a good conscience our sure reward, with history the final of our deeds, let us go to lead the land we love, His blessing and His help, but that here on earth, God's work truly be our own.