Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-04-04

gerous, this does not mean that
firmness is mere rigidity, MOTH
ing but arrogant stubbornness
Another fact, basic to the en-
tire problem of peace and Sc
curity, is that America and
her friends in the world do not
want war. They seek to substi-
tute the rule of law for the rule
of force, the conference table
for the battlefield.
These desires and their ex-
preSsions are not propaganda
They are aspirations felt deeply
within us; they are the longingS
of entire civilizations based
upon a belief in God and ir
the dignity of man. Indeed
they are the instructive hopes
that people feel-everywhere-
regardless of curtains. People
everywhere recoil from the
thought of war as much as de
any Of us present here in this
peaceful gathering.
'When Principle Points"
Tensions are created, pri.
marily, by governments and in.
dividuals that are ruthless ir
seeking greater and more ex.
tensive power. Berlin is a ten
sion point because the Kremlir
hopes to eliminate it as a part
of the free world. The Com.
muniSt leaders have chosen tt
exert pressure there at this
moment. Naturally they always
pick the most awkward situa-
ton, the hard-to-defend posi-
ton, as the place to test oul
strength and resolution. There
will never be an easy place fol
us to make a stand, but there
is a best one.
The best one is where prin.
ciple points. Deep in that prin.
ciple is the truth that we can
not afford the loss of any fret
nation-for whenever freedom
is destroyed anywhere we are
by that much, ourselves weak.
ened. Every gain of commu.
nism makes further defense
against it harder and our Sc.
curity more uncertain.
A free America can exist
only as part of a free world
and a free world can continue
to exist only as it meets the
rightful demands of people fol
security, progress and oppor'
tunity. This is why the devel'
opment of South Wet Nam anC
Southeast Asia is important,
why japanese export trade il
important; why f1rmness al
Berlin is important.
Enlightened Leadership Needed
1t is why Communist chal'
lenges must always be an.
swered by the free worlC
standing on principle. united
in strength and in purpose
This is the true meaning o.
mutual security.
1t is the idea that by help.
ing one another build strong
prosperous world community
free people will not only viii
through to a just peace bu
can apply their wonderful
God-given talents toward ere
ating an ever-growing measur,
Of mans humanity to man
But this is something tina
will come only out of the hart
intellectual effort of discipline,
minds. For the future of on
country depends upon enlight
ened leadership. upon the trul,
educated - understanding -
citizen.
Understanding Citizens Needle,
We look to the citizen VIII
has the ability and determine
ton to seek out and to fac
facts; who can place them il
logical relationship one to an
other; who can attain an un
derstanding of their meaning
and then act courageously il
promoting the cause of al
America that can live, unde
God. in a world of peace ant
justice. These are the individ
uals needed in uncounted mum
bers by your college, your coun
try and your world.
Over the years of Gettys
burg Colleges existence, it
graduates have, in many ways
served the cause of freedom
and of justice. May the year
ahead be as fruitful as thos,
which you now look back upoI
with such pride and satisfac,
ton.