Published: July 02, 2009 09:22 pm      

Maintain vigilance amidst financial darkness

As we approach July 4th, I have been struck by the political and economic turmoil cloaked in the over garment of worldwide terrorism. It is easy to be lulled into believing that this is the darkest period in world history and in the investment markets.

I recently read an address of President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered on July 4, 1942. Roosevelt's address was a call to the nation to maintain vigilance amidst an hour of darkness.

“For 166 years, this Fourth Day of July has been a symbol to the people of our country of the democratic freedom which our citizens claim as their precious birthright. On this grim anniversary its meaning has spread over the entire globe-focusing the attention of the world upon the modern freedoms for which all the United Nations are now engaged in a deadly war.

“Never since it first was created in Philadelphia, has this anniversary come in times so dangerous to everything for which it stands. We celebrate it this year, not in the fireworks of make-believe, but in the death-dealing reality of tanks and planes and guns and ships. We celebrate it also by running without interruption the assembly lines, which turn out these weapons to be shipped to all the embattled points of the globe. Not to waste one hour, not to stop one short, not to hold back one blow-that is the way to mark our great national holiday in this year of 1942.

“To the weary, hungry, unequipped Army of the American Revolution, the Fourth of July was a tonic hope and inspiration. So is it now. The tough, grim men who fight for freedom in this dark hour take heart in its message-the assurance of the right to liberty under God-for all peoples and races and groups and nations, everywhere in the world.”

Now, more than 65 years later, if we have faith in our country and her ideals, we too will prevail in this tumultuous period.