Pres. Eisenhower's State of the Union speeches: on Principles & Values


To grow and flourish people must be free

I believe it would be well to remind ourselves of this great fundamental in our national life: our common belief that every human being is divinely endowed with dignity and worth and inalienable rights. This faith, with its corollary--that to grow and flourish people must be free--shapes the interests and aspirations of every American. From this deep faith have evolved three main purposes of our Federal Government:
  1. To maintain justice and freedom among ourselves and to champion them for others so that we may work effectively for enduring peace;
  2. To help keep our economy vigorous and expanding, thus sustaining our international strength and assuring better jobs, better living, better opportunities for every citizen;
  3. And to concern ourselves with the human problems of our people so that every American may have the opportunity to lead a healthy, productive and rewarding life.
Foremost among these broad purposes of government is our support of freedom, justice and peace.
Source: Pres. Eisenhower's 1955 State of the Union message Jan 6, 1955

America is best described by one word: freedom

America is best described by one word: freedom. If we hope to strengthen freedom in the world we must be ever mindful of how our own conduct reacts elsewhere. No nation has ever been so floodlighted by world opinion as the United States is today. Everything we do is carefully scrutinized by other peoples throughout the world. The bad is seen along with the good.

Because we are human we err. But as free men we are also responsible for correcting the errors and imperfections of our ways.

Source: Pres. Eisenhower's 1959 State of the Union message Jan 7, 1959

US became great by principles in our religious philosophy

America did not become great through softness and self-indulgence. Her miraculous progress and achievements flow from other qualities far more worthy and substantial:To us and to every nation of the Free World, rich or poor, these qualities are necessary today as never before if we are to march together to greater security, prosperity and peace. I believe the industrial countries are ready to participate actively in supplementing the efforts of the developing countries to achieve progress.
Source: Pres. Eisenhower's 1960 State of the Union message Jan 7, 1960

  • The above quotations are from Pres. Eisenhower's State of the Union messages to Congress, 1953-1960.
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Page last updated: Feb 24, 2019