itthank you very much.

thank you very much. thank. thank. all right. thank very much.

mr. chairman.

delegates to this convention. my fellow american and. 16 years ago i stood before this convention to accept your nomination as the running mate. of one of the greatest americans of our time or of any time dwight eisenhower. eight years ago i had the highest honor accepting your nomination for president of the united states.

and i i again accept that nomination for president of the united states. but i have news for you this time. there is a difference. this time we're going to win win. we're going to win for a number of reasons. first, a personal one. general eisenhower, as you know was critically ill in the walter reed hospital the night i have talked, however, with mrs. eisenhower on the telephone. she tells me that his heart is with us, and she says that is

nothing, that he lives more for and there is nothing that would lift him more than for us to win in november. and say, let us win this one for ike. we're going to win because this great convention has demonstrated to the nation the republican party has the leadership, the platform and the purpose that america needs. we're going to win because you have nominated as my running mate a statesman of the first rank who will be a great campaigner and one who was only qualified to undertake the new responsibilities that i shall give to the next vice of the united states.

and he is a man fully shares my conviction and yours that after a period of 40 years when power has from the cities and states to the government in washington d.c., it's time to have power. go back from washington to the states under the cities of his country, all over america. we're going to win because at a time that america cries out for the unity that this administration has destroyed the republican party after spirited contest for, its nomination for president and president stands united the nation tonight.

and i congratulate governor. i congratulate governor rockefeller. i congratulate governor romney. i congratulate all those who have made the hard fight they have for this nomination. and i know that you will all fight even harder for the great victory. our party is to win in november because we're going to be together in that election campaign. and party that can unite itself, unite america.

my fellow americans most important, we're going to win because our cause is we make tonight not ourselves, but for the asian, the choice we make in 1968 will determine not only the future of america, but the future of peace and in the world. for the last third of the 20th century. and the question that we answer tonight, can america meet this great challenge. for a few moments, let us look at america. let us listen to america to find the answer to that question. as we look at america, we see that there is enveloping smoke and flame. we hear sirens in the night. we see americans dying on distant battlefields abroad. we see hating each other, fighting each other, killing other at home and and as we see and hear these things, millions

of americans out in anguish, did we come all way for this? did american boys die in normandy, in korea and, in valley forge for this? listen to the answer to those questions. it is another voice. it is a quiet voice in the tumult of the shouting it is the voice of the great majority of americans. the americans, the non shouters the non demonstrators, they're not racists are sick. they're not guilty of the crime that plagues the lab. they are black and they're white. they're native born, foreign born. they're young and they're all they work in america's factories they run america's businesses. they serve in government. they provide most of the soldiers who died to keep us free, they give drive to the spirit of america. they give lift the american dream. they get steel to the backbone of america. they're good people.

they're decent people. they work, they save, and they pay their taxes and they care like theodore roosevelt. they know that this country will not be a good for any of us to live in unless it's good place for all of us to live in. and this i say. this, i to you tonight is, the real voice of america in this year, 1968. this is the message it will broadcast to america and to the world. let us never that despite her faults, america is the great nation and america is great because her people are great. with winston churchill, we say we have not journeyed all way across the centuries, across the oceans, across the mountains, across the prairies, because are

made of sugar candy. america is in trouble today, not because our people have, but because our leaders have failed. and what america needs our leaders to match the of our people. and this great group, americans, the forgotten americans. others know that the great question americans must answer by their votes in november is this whether we shall continue for four more years the policies of the last five years and this is their answer and this is my to that question when the strongest nation in the world can be tied down for four years in a war in vietnam, no end in sight when richest nation in the

world can't manage own economy, when the nation with the greatest tradition of the rule of law is plagued by unprecedented lawlessness, when a nation has been known for a sanctuary or a quality opportunity is torn by unprecedented racial violence. and when the president, the united states cannot travel abroad or to any major city at home without fear of a hospital demonstration, then it's for a new leadership for the united states of america.

thank you, my fellow americans. tonight, i the challenge and the commitment to provide that new leadership for america and ask you to accept it with me and let us accept this not as a grim duty, but as an exciting in which we are privileged to help a great nation realize destiny and let us begin by committing ourselves the truth to see it like is and tell it like it is.

the the truth to speak the truth and to live the truth. that's what we will do. we've had enough of big promises and little action. the time has come for honest government in the states of america. and. so tonight i do not promise the millennium in the morning. i don't promise that we can eradicate poverty and end discrimination and eliminate all danger of war in the space of war or even eight years. but i do promise action. i know policy for peace abroad, a new policy for peace and progress and justice at home. look at our problems abroad. you realize that we face the stark truth that we are worse off in every area of the world tonight than we were when president eisenhower left office

eight years ago. that's the record. and there is only one answer that's not your record failure, and that is the complete housecleaning of those responsible for the failures on that record. the answer is a complete reappraisal of america's policies. every section of the world. we shall begin with vietnam. we all hope in this room that there's a chance the current negotiation may bring an honorable end to that war. and we will say nothing during this campaign that might destroy that chance. but if the war is not ended, when the people choose in november, the choice be clear here it is. for four years, this administration has had, as its disposal the greatest military and economic advantage that one nation has ever had over another in a war in history. for four years, america's men have set a record for courage

and sacrifice unsurpassed in our history. for four years, this administration has had the support of the loyal opposition for the objective of seeking an honorable end to the struggle. never has so much military and, economic and diplomatic power been used so ineffectively. and if after of this time and of this sacrifice and, all of this support there is no end in sight. then i say the time has come for the american people to turn to no, not tied to the mistakes and the policies of the past that what we offer the american. and i pledge to you tonight that the first priority foreign policy objective of our next administration will be bring an honorable end of the war and vietnam.

we shall not stop there we need a policy to prevent more vietnams. all of america's peacekeeping and all of america's foreign commitments must be reappraised. over the past 25 years, america has provided more than $150 billion in foreign aid to nations abroad in korea. and now again in vietnam, the united states furnished, most of the money, most of the arms most of the men to help the people of those countries defend themselves against aggression, not a rich country where strong nation, where a populace nation, but there are 200 million americans and their 2 billion people that live in the free world and i the time has come for other in the free world to bear their fair share of the burden of defending peace and freedom around. this world.

what call for is not a new isolationism is a new internationalism in which america enlist its allies and its friends around the world and those struggles in which their interest is great as ours. and now to the leaders of the communist world, we say actor era of confrontation. the time has come for an era of negotiation where the world's superpowers are concerned. there no acceptable alternative to negotiation because this will a period of negotiation we restore the strength of america so that we shall always negotiate strength and never from weakness.

and as we seek peace through negotiation. let our goals be made clear. we do not seek over any other country. we believe deeply in our dear ideas. but we believe they should travel on their own power and not on the power of our arms. we shall never be belligerent, but we shall as firm in defending our system. they are and expanding their. we believe this should be an era of peaceful competition, not only in the productivity of our factories, but in the quality of our ideas. we extend the hand of friendship to people, to the russian people, to the chinese people, to all people, the world. and we shall work toward the goal of. an open world, open sky, open cities, open hearts, open mind. the next eight years, my friend.

this period in which we're entering, i think we will have the greatest opportunity for world peace, but also face the greatest danger a world war of any time our history. i believe we, must have peace. i believe that we can have peace. but i do not underestimate the difficulty of this task, because you see art of preserving peace is greater than that of waging war and much more demanding. what am proud to have served an administration which ended one war and kept the nation out other wars for eight years that. and it is that kind of experience and it's that kind of leadership that america needs today and that we will give to america. with your help.

and as we commit to new policies for america tonight, let me make one further pledge. for five years, hardly a day has gone by. when we haven't read or heard a report of the american flag being spit on an embassy being strong, a library being burned or an ambassador being insulted place in the world. and each incident reduced respect united states until the ultimate insult inevitably occurred. and i say to you tonight that when respect for the united states america falls solo, that of fourth great military power like north will seize an american naval vessel in the high seas. that's time for no leadership. the race car is back in the united states of america america.

thank you very much, my friends america is a great nation. it is time we started to act like a great nation around the world. it's ironic to note. when we were a small nation wait militarily and more economically, america was respected. and the reason that america stood for something more

powerful than military strength or economic. well, the american revolution was a shining of freedom in action which cut the imagination of the world. and the day. often america an example to be avoided and not followed. a nation that keep the peace at home won't be trusted. keep the peace abroad. a president who isn't treated with respect at all will not be treated with respect abroad. a nation which can't manage its own economy, can't tell others how to manage theirs. if we are to restore our prestige, respect for america abroad, the place to begin is at home. the united states of america. my friends, we live in an age of revolution in america and in the

world. and to find the answers to our problems, let us turn to our revolution. our revolution that will go the world's greatest continuing revolution the american revolution. the american revolution was and is dedicated progress. but our recognized that the first requisite of progress is order. now there is no between progress and order because neither can exist the other. so us have order in america, not the order that suppresses dissent, discourages change but the order which guarantees the right to dissent and provides the basis for peaceful change. and tonight, it's time some honest talk about the problem of order of the united states. let us always respect, as i do, our courts and those serve on them. but let us recognize that some of our and their decisions have gone too far and weakening peace

passes as against the criminal charges this country. not those who have the responsibility to enforce our laws and our judges, whoever responsibility to interpret them, be dedicated to the great principles of civil rights, but that the most recognize that the first civil right of american is to be free from violence, and that right must be guaranteed in this country. and if we to restore order and respect for law in this country, there's one place we're going to begin. we're going to have a new attorney general of the united states of america.

i pledge you that our new attorney general will be by the president of the united to launch a war against organized crime in this country. i pledge to you that the new attorney general, united states, will be an active, belligerent against the loan sharks. and the numbers of racketeers that rob the urban poor our cities. i pledge you that the new attorney general open a new front against filth peddlers and the narcotics peddlers who are corrupting the lives of the children of this country. because friends let this message come true. clear from what i say tonight. time is running out for the merchants of crime and corruption in american society. the wave of crime is not going to be the wave of the future in

the united states of america. we shall reestablish from fear in america so that america can take the lead and freedom from fear in the world. and to those who say that law and order is the code word, racism. there. and here is a reply. our goal is justice. justice for every american. if we are to respect for law in america, we have laws that deserve respect. just as we cannot have progress without order, we cannot have without progress. and so as we commit to order tonight, let us commit to progress. and this brings me to the clearest choice among the great of this campaign or the past five years. we have been deluged by government programs, the unemployed programs for the steady program for the poor. and we have ripped from these

programs an ugly harvest of frustration violence and failure across the land. and now our opponents will be more of the same, more billions for government jobs. government, government welfare. i say it's time to quit pouring billions of dollars into programs that have failed in the united states of america america. to put it bluntly, we're on the wrong road and it's time to take a new road to progress. again, we to the american revolution for our answer. the war on poverty begin five years ago and this country it began when this country began. it's been the most war on poverty in the history of nations. there's more wealth in america today, more broadly shared than in any nation in the world. we are a great nation, and we must never forget. we became great. america is a great today.

not of wharnme did for people, but because of what people did for themselves. over 190 years in this country. and so it is time to apply the lessons of the american revolution. our present problem. let us increase the wealth of america so we can provide more generously for the aged and for the needy and all those who cannot help themselves. but for those who are to help themselves. what we need are not more americans welfare rolls, but more millions on payrolls in the united states of america america instead of government jobs and government and government welfare. let government use its tax and credit to enlist in this battle. the greatest engine of progress ever developed in the history of man. american private enterprise.

let us then list in this cause the millions americans and volunteer organizations will bring a dedication to task that no amount of money can ever buy. and let us build my friends. build bridges to human dignity across that goal that separates black from white america. black america no more than white. they do not want more government programs which perpetuate dependency. they don't want to be a colony in a nation. they want the pride and the softness and the dignity that can only come if they have an equal chance to own their own homes, to their own businesses, to be managers, executives, as well as workers, to have a piece

of the action in the exciting ventures of enterprise. and pledge to you tonight that we shall have programs which will provide that chance. we make great history tonight. we do not fire a shot heard round the world, but we shall light the of hope in millions of homes this land in. there is no hope today. and that great light shining out from america will again become beacon of hope for all those in the world who seek freedom and opportunity. my fellow americans, i believe that historians will recall. that 1968 marked the beginning of the american generation in world history. just to be alive in america.

just to be alive at this time is an unparalleled in history. here's where the action is. think. 32 years from now, most of americans living today will celebrate new year. that comes once in a thousand years. eight years from now, in the second term of the next president, we will celebrate the 200th anniversary of the american revolution. and by our decision and this election, will all of us here, all of you listening on television and we will determine what kind of nation america will be on its 200th birthday. we will determine what kind of a world america will live in in the year thousand. this is the kind of day i see for america on that glorious fourth, eight years from now. i see a day when americans are once again proud of their flag,

when once again at home and abroad is honored as the world's greatest symbol of liberty and justice. i see a day when the president of the united states respected and his office is honored because it is worthy of respect, worthy of honor. i a day when every child in this land, regardless of his background, has a chance for the best education that our wisdom and schools provide and an equal chance to go just as high as his talents were taken. i see a day when life in america attracts people to, the country, rather than driving them away. i see a day when we can look back on massive breakthroughs in solving the problems of slums, pollution and traffic which are choking our cities to death. i see a day when our senior citizens and millions of others can plan for the future with the assurance their government is not going to rob them of savings

by destroying the value of their dollar. i see a day when we will again have freedom from fear in america and from fear in the world. i see a day when our is at peace and the world at peace and everyone on earth, those who hope, those who aspire, those who crave liberty will look to america as a shining example. hope realized and dreams achieved. my fellow. this is the cause. i ask you to vote. for this is the cause. i ask you to work for. this is the cause i asked you to commit to. not just for victory in november, but beyond that, to a new administration. because the time one man or a few leaders can save america is gone. we need tonight nothing less than the total commitment of the total mobilization of the american people. if we are to succeed government,

can pass. but respect for law can come only from people who take the law into their heart and, their minds, and not into their hands. government. government can provide opportunity, but opportunity nothing unless people are prepared to seize. a president can for reconciliation in the racial conflict that divides. but reconciliation comes only from the hearts of people. and tonight there bar as we make this commitment. let us look into our hearts and let us look into the faces of our children. is there anything in the world that should stand their way? none. the old hatreds mean anything when you look down into the faces of our children and their faces.

our hope, our love and courage. tonight i see the face of a child who lives in a great city. he's black or he's white. he's mexican, italian, polish. none of that matters. what matters? he's an american child. that child in that great city is more important than politician's promise. he is america. he is a poet. he's a scientist. he's a great teacher. he's a proud christ. he's everything we ever hoped to be in. everything we dare to dream to be. he sleeps the sleep of childhood. he dreams. the dreams of a child. and yet when he awakens he awakens to a living nightmare of poverty, neglect and despair. he in school, he ends up on welfare. for him, the america system is one that feeds the stomach and star soul.

it breaks his heart. and in the end, it may take his life in some distant battlefield. 2 million children in this rich life. this is their prospect for the future? but this is only part of what i see in america. i see another child and i i hears the train go by night and dreams, faraway places where he'd to go. seems like an impossible dream. but he has helped on his through life. a father who had to go to work before finished the sixth grade. sacrificed. he had so that his sons could go to college. a gentle quaker mother with a passionate concern. peace quietly wept when he went to war. but she understood. why? he had to go. a great teacher. a remarkable football coach, an inspirational minister

encouraged him on his. courageous. why our children stood by in victory. and also defeat. and in his chosen profession of politics. first, there were scores and hundreds and, thousands and finally, millions worked for his success. and he stands before you nominated for president of the united states of america.

this obviously likes what it is seen and heard. you can see why i believe so deeply in the dream.

for most of us, the american revolution has been won. the american dream come true. and what i ask you to do tonight is help me make that dream come true for millions to whom it's an impossible dream today. 108. 108 years ago, the newly elected president of the united states, abraham, left springfield, illinois. never to return again. he spoke to his friends gathered at the railroad station. listen to his words. today, i live i go to a greater task than devolve. general washington, the great god, which him must help me

without that assistance, i will surely fail with it. i cannot fail. abraham lincoln lost his life, but did not fail. the next president of the united will face challenges, which in ways will be greater than those of washington or lincoln. because for the first time in our nation's, an american president face not only the problem of restoring peace, but of restoring peace at home without god, china and europe. we will surely be. but with god's help and your help, we shall surely succeed. my fellow americans, the long dark night for america is about to end. the time.

the time has come. the time has come for us to leave. the valley of despair. and climb the mountain. so that we may see the glory of the dawn. a new day for america and a new dawn for peace and freedom in the world. and that.