JFK: Independence Day Speech, 1946

I came across this nice speech that JFK delivered as a candidate for Congress in 1946. He discusses the components of the American character, which he describes as having religious, idealistic, patriotic, and individualistic elements. It's a speech that some people today might find too cornpone or -- gasp! -- conservative. I confess I miss the days (though I was not alive at the time) when Democratic politicians could talk like this without irony or apology.

You should read the whole thing, but here's a brief snippet from the section of religion:

Thus we see that this nation has ever been inspired by essential religious ideas. . .

Today these basic religious ideas are challenged by atheism and materialism: at home in the cynical philosophy of many of our intellectuals [When's the last time you heard a Democrat take a shot at "intellectuals"?--CSR], abroad in the doctrine of collectivism, which sets up the twin pillars of atheism and materialism as the official philosophical Establishment of the State.

Inspired by a deeply religious sense, this country, which has ever been devoted to the dignity of man, which has ever fostered the growth of the human spirit, has always met and hurled back the challenge of those deathly philosophies of hate and despair. We have defeated them in the past; we will always defeat them.

How well, then, has DeTocqueville said: "You may talk of the people and their majesty, but where there is no respect for God can there be much for man? You may talk of the supremacy of the ballot, respect for order, denounce riot, secession--unless religion is the first link, all is vain."