Notable Quotable; JFK And A Speech Not Given

It's an entirely loosely guarded secret in the Fischer family that I'm a political speech geek. Thanks to the internet, I've been able to organize a mildly impressive cache of speeches in my favorites that have offered various measures of personal inspiration, as well as providing historical context to frame discussion and perspective regarding current issues.

Hubert Humphrey's civil rights speech at the 1948 Democratic Convention and Ronald Reagan's 1984 speech at Normandy commemorating the 50th anniversary of D-Day are merely two examples of purely brilliant oratory.

President Clinton's emphatic, finger waving declaration, I did not have sexual relations with that woman... , didn't make the cut, lest you were curious.

There have been times, however, when circumstance has rendered intended words unspoken.

President Kennedy was on his way to deliver a speech in Dallas on November 22nd 1963 to the Texas State Democratic Executive Committee. A speech that was never given.

Today though, in looking at excerpts from his speech, Kennedy's script waxes eloquence about our nations challenges that clearly resonate during this years Presidential election, in an almost eerie way.

Dallas, Texas, 22 November 1963;

For this country is moving and it must not stop. It cannot stop. For this is a time for courage and a time for challenge. Neither conformity nor complacency will do. Neither the fanatics nor the faint-hearted are needed. And our duty as a party is not to our party alone, but to the Nation, and, indeed., to all mankind. Our duty is not merely the preservation of political power but the preservation of peace and freedom.

So let us not be petty when our cause is so great. Let us not quarrel amongst ourselves when our Nation's future is at stake. Let us stand together with renewed confidence in our cause--united in our heritage of the past and our hopes for the future--and determined that this land we love shall lead all mankind into new frontiers of peace and abundance.

The importance of Presidential eloquence and intellect have been mocked during the lowered expectations of George W. Bush. John F. Kennedy reminds us that it's the word, both spoken and unspoken, that will endure to inspire and assist our people in persevering.

For life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.