Administration of Ronald Reagan , 1981 /]an. 26

 Can we solve the problems confronting
us? Well, the answer is an unequivocal and
emphatic yes." To paraphrase Winston
Churchill, I did not take the oath I've just
taken with the intention of presiding over
the dissolution of the world's strongest
economy.
 In the days ahead I will propose remov 
ing the roadblocks that have slowed our
economy and reduced productivity. Steps
u ill be taken aimed at restoring the balance
between the Various levels of government.
Progress ma!  be slow, measured in inches
and feet, not miles. but we will progress. It
is time to rewaken this industrial giant, to
gel government back within its means, and
to lighten our punitive tax burden. And
these \r ill be our first priorities, and on
these principles there will be no compro-
mise.
 On the e\ e of our struggle for independ-
ence a man who might have been one of
the grouchiest among$ the Founding Fathers,
Dr. Joseph \Warren president of the Massa-
cassettes Congress, said to his fellow Ameri-
cans, "Our country is in danger, but not to
be despaired of On ) you depend the
fortunes of America. You are to decide the
important questions upon which rests the
happiness and the liberty of millions yet
unborn. Act worthy of yourselves."
 Well, I believe we, the Americans of
today) , are ready to act worthy of ourselves,
ready to do what must be done to ensure
happiness and liberty for ourselves, our chil-
dren, and our children's children. And as
we renew ourselves here in our own land,
we will be seen as having greater strength
throughout the world. We will again be the
exemplar of freedom and a beacon of hope
for those who do not now have freedom.
 To those neighbors and allies who share
our freedom, we will strengthen our history-
ic ties and assure them of our support and
firm commitment. We will match loyalty
with loyalty. We will strive for mutually
beneficial relations. We will not use our
friendship to impose on their sovereignty,
for our own sovereignty is not for sale.
 As for the enemies of freedom, those who
are potential adversaries, they will be re-
minded that peace is the highest aspiration
of the American people. We will negotiate
for it, sacrifice for it; we will not surrender
for it, now or ever.

 Our forbearance should never be misun
derstood. Our reluctance for conflict should
not be misjudged as a failure of will. While
action is required to preserve our national
security, we will act. We will maintain suffi
cient strength to prevail if need be, know
ing that if we do so we have the best
chance of never having to use that strength
 Above all, we must realize that no arsenal
or no weapon in the arsenals of the world is
so formidable as the will and moral courage
of free men and women. It is a weapon our
adversaries in today's world do not have. It
is a weapon that we as Americans do have
Let that be understood by those who prac
tice terrorism and prey upon their neigh-
bors.
 I'm told that tens of thousands of prayer
.meetings are being held on this day, and for
the Republic for which it stands, one nation
under God, and we believe God intended for
us to be free. It wold be fitting and good, I
think, if on each Inaugural Day in future
years it should be declared a day of prayer.
 This is the first time in our history that
this ceremony has been held, as youve
been told, on this West Front of the Cap-
itol. Standing here, one faces a magnificent
vista, opening up on this city's special
beauty and history. At the end of this open
mall are those shrines to the giants on
whose shoulders we stand.
 Directly in front of me, the monument to
a monumental man, George Washington,
father of our country. A man of humility
who came to greatness reluctantly. He led
America out of revolutionary victory into
infant nationhood. Off to one side, the  state-
ly memorial to Thomas Jefferson. The Dec-
laration of Independence flames with
eloquence Reflecting Pool, the columns of the
Lincoln Memorial. Whoever would understand in
his heart the meaning of America will find it in the 
life of Abraham Lincoln. Beyond those monuments
 to heroism is the Potomac River, and on the far
shore sloping hills of Arlington National Cemetery,
 with its row upon row of simple white markers
 bearing crosses or Stars of David.