Evening star., 1950-06-11

C1. LOO1S, julie 4U.-4 dIl
happy to participate in the dedi-
cation of this historic site TO the
memory of Thomas Jefferson and
the early pioneers and settlers Of
our Westward expansion. The
park which is to be created here
will bear witness to our gratitude
to jefferson and the brave men
who explored and settled the area
of the Louisiana Purchase.
This park will commemorate a
great act of craftsmanship. When
jefferson purchased the Louisiana
Territory, our country acquired a
material basis for the kind of
democratic society of which JEFF
ferson dreamed. The abundant
lands of the West made it pos
sible for millions of families to
settle on their own farms as free
holders and independent citizens
This rural society of free men
fixed the democratic character Of
our institutions. After this. the
country changed in many ways
and was exposed to many dangers
but it's democratic nature could
never be shaken. The foes OF
democracy, whether they were the
old Federalists, or the monop-
olist of a later period, or the
adl1erents of new tyrannies and
relationships, have not been able
to prevail against it.
Foreign Policy Important Then.
We sometimes forget that we
owe the Louisiana Purchase to
Jefferson's wisdom and experience
in foreign affairs. Foreign policy
was a matter of first Importance
in Jefferson's time, just as it is
today. The United States in those
days was a new Nation. and weak
by comparison with the great
European empires. It's continued
survival as an independent coun-
try depended upon its having the
good will and friendship of other
countries.
Today, our foreign policy is
that of one of the strongest ma
tions in the world. But the future
welfare of our country still de-
pends upon our foreign policy just
as it did in Jefferson's time.
This is true not only because
the world has shrunk in terms of
space and time-it is true also
because in our day totalitarian
tyrannies have sprung up in the
world. These tyrannieS, whether
of the left or of the right. have
threatened free institutions and
free governments everywhere.
U. S. Impelled to Take Lead.
In this situation, our country
] 5 been impelled by the prin-
c4ples of freedom for which we
stand. and by the needs of our
national security. to take a lead
ing role in the search for a just
and permanent peace among ma
tions.
We have taken the position Of
leadership that President Wilson
wanted us to take after the first
World War. Our aim today is
the same as his aim was then
to establish a peaceful world order
in which disputes between nations
can be adjusted without blood
shed, and the Individual can be
sure OF justice and freedom in
his daily life. The creation of
such a world order requires an
international organization of free
and independent nations, cooper
ating voluntarily in the main
tenance of peace. It also requires
collective action to prevent ag-
gression.
We refused to assume our re-
sponsibilities as Nation after the
first World War. But by the
end of the second World War.
We had learned our lesson.
Aided International Activities.
Since that time. we have joined
with other nations in the forma-
tion of world organization to
keep the peace. We have used
our resources to aid the recovery
of war-shattered economies. We
have aided in carrying on inter-
national activities in economic,
social and cultural fields. We
have helped to build a greater de-
gree of international cooperation
than the world have ever known
before.
Our actions for peace have had
the support of the American peo-
pie without regard to political af-
f1liation. Our foreign policy has
been bipartisan. and I am con-
f1dent that it will remain biparti-
san.
The steps we have taken toward
international cooperation offer
real hope and opportunity to man.
kind. But they have not yet pro-