○  名人演讲：国会大厦告别演讲  ○

his end has justified that means, where appeasement has led to more than a sham peace. like blackmail, it lays the basis for new and successively greater demands until, as in blackmail, violence becomes the only other alternative.

"why," my soldiers asked of me, "surrender military advantages to an enemy in the field?" i could not answer.

some may say: to avoid spread of the conflict into an all-out war with china; others, to avoid soviet intervention. neither explanation seems valid, for china is already engaging with the maximum power it can commit, and the soviet will not necessarily mesh its actions with our moves. like a cobra, any new enemy will more likely strike whenever it feels that the relativity in military or other potential is in its favor on a world-wide basis.

the tragedy of korea is further heightened by the fact that its military action is confined to its territorial limits. it condemns that nation, which it is our purpose to save, to suffer the devastating impact of full naval and air bombardment while the enemy's sanctuaries are fully protected from such attack and devastation.

of the nations of the world, korea alone, up to now, is the sole one which has risked its all against communism. the magnificence of the courage and fortitude of the korean people defies description.

they have chosen to risk death rather than slavery. their last words to me were: "don't scuttle the pacific!"

i have just left your fighting sons in korea. they have met all tests there, and i can report to you without reservation that they are splendid in every way.

it was my constant effort to preserve them and end this savage conflict honorably and with the least loss of time and a minimum sacrifice of life. its growing bloodshed has caused me the deepest anguish and anxiety.

those gallant men will remain often in my thoughts and in my prayers always.

i am closing my 52 years of military service. when i joined

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