While the road to that peace is long and hard, and full of traps and pitfalls, there is no reason not to take each step that we can safely take.

There are one million Americans today, tonight, serving the United States overseas.

And, building on that rich base, I see no reason why we cannot fulfill our obligations abroad.

And it is that spirit, the spirit of both preparedness and peace, that this Nation today is stronger than ever before--strengthened by both the increased power of our defenses and our increased efforts for peace.

I learned long ago, about 16 years ago, that these Democratic functions are tremendous but the thing is not to make a speech, so I am going to be very brief.

It is a constant source of pride to me that I come from this State, that I represented Massachusetts, that I am identified with this State.

The means of achieving it are difficult, but our objective is simple, and that is to provide for our people a rising rate of well-being.

Let us resolve to be the masters, not the victims, of our history, controlling our own destiny without giving way to blind suspicion and emotion.

Therefore, while maintaining our readiness for war, let us exhaust every avenue for peace.

Tonight, tomorrow, and all the rest of the time, let us work for it.

We must be--however happy we are at home, we must look abroad.