After narrowly scuttling Richard Nixon in the 1960 Presidential election, John F Kennedy was more determined than ever to deliver a memorable address at his inauguration. He accomplished as much. The speech is historic for many reasons. Hard-nosed but oratorically-lyrical with a variety of rhetorical techniques, it became one of the finest, as well as best-known, speeches of its genre. Indeed, scholars place the effort among elite inaugurals by Lincoln and both Roosevelts. JFK embraced the ceremonial opportunity and delivered the message convincingly and passionately.
There have been numerous analyses of the presentation. The goal of this essay, however, is to repeat the observations of others, but to assess the influence it had on the country and its broader meaning to the international community. After all, Kennedy, the new leader of the free world, was quite young for the role and his words in this major keynote forum would be examined and subsequently dissected around the globe.
Many scholars of public address have established the aim of such discourse as not only to convey ideas but to achieve a resonant tone. The right words were important. Yet, tone was the broader matter, and an inspirational quality was vital. While Kennedy was the messenger, he enjoyed the talents of outstanding and eloquent speechwriters who understood the significance of the event. Kennedy would establish the willingness of the administration to tackle the enormity of the challenges ahead. He had also expressed a desire to allay American fears about the ongoing Cold War, which had, to some extent, cast a large and depressing shadow since the end of World War II. Concerns about a Soviet-Cuban alliance likewise continued unabated.
Kennedy requested certain specifications for the ceremony on an especially cold (22 degrees) Washington morning. Dress was formal. Poet Robert Frost recited his work. Marian Anderson sand the National Anthem. A Kennedy family Bible was used for the Oath of Office. A variety of clergy offered invocations. Ted Sorensen was the speech’s chief writer, composing a script derived from a brief draft dictated by JFK. In 2007, Sorensen disclosed the main objectives sought from the address. In short, all citizens, not just government, harbored the duty of serving the nation’s interests (“Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”). And the speech drew upon ideas and phrases articulated similarly by Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt, and Adlai Stevenson in years gone by.
Perhaps a clandestine motive behind the sentiments expressed was to moderate expectations about the new Administration’s early performance. Though Kennedy spoke boldly, there is also a perspective regarding the coming challenges. Anyone anticipating a flawless response to domestic and international developments would need to be aware how a New Frontier meant sometimes-uncharted territory. Kennedy hoped to emphasize the regime’s journey would involve hazards. Yet, if all remained staunch in spirit, storms would be weathered in whatever form was deemed necessary. The journey was not for the meek. As the line “let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate” instructs, the torch passed is one that may burn brightly if wisdom is employed.
Hold Back The Nite 