JOHN F. KENNEDY (Memorable Speech)

JOHN F. KENNEDY

Excerpts from a public speech before becoming President on December 27, 1960

I think the American people expecting more from us than the cries of indignation and attack. The times are too grave, the challenges too urgent, and the stakes too high, to permit the customary passions of political debate. We are not here to curse the darkness, but to light the candle that can guide us through that darkness to a safe and sane future.

As Winston Churchill said on taking office some twenty years ago, if we open a quarrel between the present and the past, we shall be in danger of losing the future.

Today our concern must be with that future. For the world is changing. The old era is ending. The old ways will not do.

Abroad, the balance of power is shifting. There are new and more terrible weapons – new and uncertain nations – new pressures of population and deprivation. One third of the world, it has been said, may be free – but one third is victim of cruel repression – and the other one third is rocket by pangs of poverty, hunger and envy. More energy is released by the awakening of these new nations then the fission of the atom itself.

Meanwhile, communities influence has penetrated further in to Asia, stood astride the MIDDLE EAST and now festers some ninety miles of the coast of Florida. Friends have slipped into neutrality – and neutrals into hostility. As our keynoters reminded us, The President who began career by going to Korea ends it by staying away from Japan.

The World has been close to war before – but now man, who has survived all previous threats to his existence, has taken into his mortal hands the power to exterminate the entire species some seven times over.

As we face the coming challenges, we too, shall wait upon the Lord, and ask that He renew our strength. Then shall we be the equal to the test. Then we shall not be weary. And then we shall prevail.