Evening star., 1950-01-04
Continued From First Page.)

shattering wars have proved that
no corner of the earth can be iso-
lated from the affairs of mankind.
The human race has reached a
turning point. Man has opened
the secrets of nature and mastered
new powers. If he uses them wisely,
he can reach new heights of civili-
zation. If he uses them foolishly,
they may destroy him.
Man must create the moral and
legal framework for the world which
will insure that his new powers
are used for good and not for
evil. In shaping the outcome, the
people of the United States will play
q leading role. .i
Among all the great changes
that have occurred in the last so
years, none is more important than
the change in the position of the
United States in world affairs. Fifty
years ago, we were a country de-
voted largely to our own internal
affairs. Our industry was growing,
and we had new interests in the
Far East and in the Caribbean,
but we were primarily concerned
with the develoment Of vast areas
Of our own continental territory.
Strength and Responsibilities.
Today, our population has
doubled. Our national production
has risen from about $50, 900 600 900,
In terms Of today's prices, to the
staggering figure of $255, ,000, ,000, 900
a year. We have more productive
economic system and a greater in
dustrial potential than any other
nation on the globe. Our standard
of living is an inspiration for all
other peoples. Even the slightest
changes in our economic and social
life have their effect on other
countries all around the world.
Our tremendous strength has
brought with it tremendous re-
sponsibilities. We have moved from
the outer edge to the center of
world affairs. Other nations look
to us for a wise exercise of our
economic and military strength, and
for vigorous support of the ideals
OF representative government and
b free society. We will not fail
them.
Our objective in the world is
peace. Our country has joined
with others in the task of achiev-
ing peace. We know. now that this
Is not an easy task, or a'short one
But we are determined to see it
through. Both of our great poll
tical parties are committed to work
ing together-and I am sure they
will continue to work together
to achieve this end. We are pre-
pared to devote our energy and
our resources to this task, because
we know that our own security
and the future of mankind are at
stake.
Our success in working with other
nations to achieve peace depends
largely on what We doS at home
We must preserve our national
strength. Strength Is not simply
. matter OF arms and force. It is
. matter Of economic growth, and
social health, and vigorous institu-
tions, public and private. We can
achieve peace only If we maintain
our productive energy, our demo-
cratic institutions and our firm
belief In individual freedom.
Our surest guide in the days that
lie ahead will be the spirit in which
this great Republic was founded.
We must make our decisions in the
conviction that all men are created
equal, that they are equally en-
titled to life, liberty and the pur-
suit Of happiness, and that the duty
OF government is to serve these
ends.
Dedication to Principles.
This country of ours has expert
enced many blessings, but none
greater than its dedication to these
principals. At every point in our
history, these ideals have served to-
correct our failures and shortcom-
1ngs, to spur us on to greater efforts,
and to keep clearly before us the
primary purpose of our existence as
a nation. They have enshrined for
us, as a principle OF government,
the moral imperative to do Justice,
and the divine command to men to-
love one another.
These principles give meaning
to all that we do.
In foreign policy, they mean that
we can never be tolerant of op-
preston or tyranny. They mean
that we must throw our weight
on the side of greater freedom and
a better life for all peoples. These
principles confirm us in carrying
out the specific programs for peace
which we have already begun.
We shall continue to give our
whole-hearted support to the United
Nations. We believe that this Or
ganization can ultimately provide
the framework of international law
and morality without which man
kind cannot survive. It has al
ready set up new standards for
the conduct of nations In the Dec
laratton Of Human Rights and the
Convention on Genocide. 1t is mov-
ing ahead to give meaning to the
concept of world brotherhood
through wide variety of cultural,
economic and technical activities.
The events of the past year again
showed the value Of the. United
Nations in bringing about the
peaceful adjustment of tense in
ternational controversies. In In
donesia and In Palestine, the efforts
OF the United Nations have put q
stop to bloodshed and paved the
way to peaceful settlements.
We are working toward the time
when the United Nations will con-
troll weapons Of mass destruction
and will have the forces to pre-
serve international law and order.
While the world remains unsettled,
however, and as long as our own
security and the security Of the
free world require, we will main
tain a strong and well-balanced de-
tense organization. The selective
service system is an essential part
OF our defense plans, and it must