Conceived in Grecian thought, strengthened by Christian morality, and stamped indelibly into American political philosophy, the right of the individual against the State is the KEYSTONE of our Constitution. Each man is free.
He is free in thought.
He is free in expression.
He is free in worship.
We cannot assume that the struggle is ended. It is never-ending.
Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty. It was the price yesterday. It is the price today, and it will ever be the price.
The characteristics of the American people have ever been a deep sense of religion, a deep sense of idealism, a deep sense of patriotism, and a deep sense of individualism.
Let us not blink the fact that the days which lie ahead of us are bitter ones.
May God grant that, at some distant date, on this day, and on this platform, the orator may be able to say that these are still the great qualities of the American character and that they have prevailed.
Speech given July 4, 1946, (some 73 years ago)
The speech was given by a candidate for the 11th Congressional District of Massachusetts who later was elected.
His name; John Fitzgerald Kennedy