Famous Speeches of the 20th Century (Part 2)

Author: Bei Ni
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-07-01
Features: Mr. Speaker of the House, Mr. Speaker of the Senate, distinguished members of Congress, I stand here tonight to appeal for the dignity of humankind and the fate of democracy. I urge every member of both parties and all Americans from every corner of the nation, of every faith and hue, to join me in this action. Sometimes, history and destiny converge at a particular moment and place, becoming a turning point in the relentless human pursuit of freedom. The events that unfolded in Lexington and Concord were such a turning point, as were the events a century ago at Appomattox. The events that occurred last week in Selma, Alabama, are also such a turning point. In that city, long-suffering men and women protested peacefully the denial of their rights as American citizens. Many protesters were subjected to brutal attacks. A kind person, a child of God, was tragically killed. There is nothing to be proud of in what happened in Selma. There is no reason to be complacent about the long denial of equal rights to millions of Americans. But what transpired tonight gives us reason to hold hope and faith in democracy. For the cries of the oppressed and the hymns of the faithful have awakened and united the full dignity and prestige of a great government—the government of one of the greatest nations on Earth. Our task is the oldest and most fundamental task of our nation: to set things right, to do justice, and to serve the people. Our generation has faced a series of major crises. Throughout our lives, we have debated the great issues of war and peace, prosperity and depression. But almost nothing has touched the very essence of America. The challenges we have faced have mostly concerned economic growth, material wealth, or our social welfare and security, rarely the values, ideals, and soul of the beloved nation we cherish. Granting equal rights to African Americans is such an issue. Even if we defeat every enemy, even if we double our wealth and conquer other planets, but if we fail to address this question, we as a people and a nation will still be failures. For a nation, like a person, as the saying goes, “A man may possess the whole world, but what good is it if he loses his soul?” This is not a black issue. It is not a Southern issue or a Northern issue. It is an American issue. Tonight, we are gathered here not as Democrats or Republicans, but as Americans; we are Americans united to solve this problem. America is the first nation in world history to be founded on a clear purpose. The great words that describe this purpose still resonate in the hearts of every American, North and South: “All men are created equal,” “government of the people,” “by the people,” “for the people,” “Give me liberty, or give me death.” These are not mere fine words or empty theories.