Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1950-12-16
Text of Trunun's Address on National Emergency

started can be greatly speeded up.
These are our plans for making
our country stronger.
AS we go forward, we must keep
clearly in mind the meaning Of
what we are doing.
Our freedom is in danger.
Sometimes we may forget just
what freedom means to us. It is
as close to US, as important to us,
as the air we breathe. Freedom is
in our homes, in our schools, in our
churches. It is in our work and our
Government and the right to vote
as we please. Those are the things
that would be taken from us il
Communism should win.
Because our freedom is in danger
we are united in its defense. Let
no aggressor think we are divided.
Our great strength is the loyalty
and fellowship of free people. We
pull together when we are in trouble,
and we do it by our own choice,
not out of fear, but out of love for
the great values of our American
life, that we all have a share in.
In this great defense effort that
we are undertaking, things may not
always 60 as smoothly as we would
wish. either in Washington or in
your home town. But remember
that we are building our defenses
in the democratic way, and not by
the iron rule of dictatorship.
T1nNCa nf yyhn tr1nrly ~, thu
Government will do our best But
the outcome depends, as it has al
ways depended, on the spirit and
energy of our people.
The job of building a stronger
America must be done on our farms,
in Our factories, and in our homes.
1t must be done by every one Of
us, wherever we are, and whatever
our jobs may be.
Unlawful Strike.
In this time of danger, each Of
us must accept an individual re-
sponsibility for the good of the
country.
Unfortunately, at this moment,
railway union and large number
of its members are out on an un-
lawful strike that has partially para
lyzed our railroad system.
This action has already begun to
slow down our industry. 1t is inter-
fering with the movement of troops;
it is holding up equipment for our
fighting forces; and our civilian
population has begun to suffer.
This strike is a danger to the Sc
curity of our Nation.
AS Commander-In Chief, there
fore, call upon the union and it's
striking members to return to work
Immediately.
I ask you men who are on strike
to realize, that no matter how seri-
GUS you believe your grievances are,
nothing can excuse the fact that you
are adding to your country's danger.
I ask you, in. the name of our
country, to return Immediately to
your posts of duty.
Our fighting men in Korea have
set an example that should inspire
us all. Attacked by superior num-
bers, and in the bitterest of winter
weather, they were resolute, steady
and determined. Their steadfast
courage in the face of reverses is
one of the most heroic stories in our
country's history.
Standard Set in Korea.
In the days ahead, each of us
should measure his own efforts, his
own sacrifices, by the standard Of
our heroic men in Korea.
Many of you who are young
people, will serve in the armed
forces of your country. Nothing you
will do later in life will be of greater
benefit to your homes, your commu-
mites, or your friends.
Many others of you will have to
work longer hours in factories or
mines or mills. Think of this not as
longer hours, but as more planes,
more tanks. more ships, more of all
the things that are needed for the
defense OF your homes and your way
of life.
All of us will have to pay more
taxes and do without things we
like. Think of this, not as a sacri.
flee, but as an opportunity, an OPP
portunity to defend the best kind Of
life that men have ever devised on
this earth.
Agress0rs Win Advantage.
AS speak to you tonight, ag-
erosion has won military advan-
tage in Korea. We should not try
to hide or explain away that fact.
BY the same token, we should
draw renewed courage and faith
from the response of the free world
to that aggression. What the free
nations have done in Korea is right,
and men all over the world know
that it is right. Whatever tenn
porary setbacks there may be, the
right will prevail in the end.
Because OF all these things I have
been talking about with you, I
will issue proclamation tomor-
row morning declaring that a ma
tional emergency exists. This will
call upon every citizen to put aside
his personal interests for the good
of our country. All of our energies
must be devoted to the tasks ahead
of us.
No nation has ever had a greater
responsibility than ours has at this
moment. We must remember that
we are the leaders of the free world.
We must understand that we can
not achieve peace by ourselves, but
only by Cooperating with other
free nations and with the men and
women who love freedom every
where.
We must remember that our goal
is not war but peace. Throughout
the world our name stands for IN
ternational justice and for a world
based on the principles of law and
order. We must keep it that way.
We are willing to negotiate differ
ences, but we will not yield to ag-
erosion. Appeasement of evil is
not the road to peace.
The American people have all
ways met danger with courage and
determination. I am confident We
will do that now, and, with Gods
help, we shall keep our freedom.
Q stop HFPFII