John F Kennedy's Inaugural Address

"Mr Chief Justice, President Eisenhower, Vice President Nixon, President Truman, reverend clergy, fellow citizens, we observe today not a victory of party, but a celebration of freedom - symbolizing an end, as well as a beginning - signifying renewal, as well as change.

For I have sworn before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath our forebears prescribed nearly a century and three quarters ago.

The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life. And yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe - the belief that the rights of men come not from the generosity of the state, but from the hand of God.

We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution.
Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans - born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage - and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoings of those human rights to which this Nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world."

Commentary

Kennedy's speech is his first public speech after taking office. His intention is to please everyone, get his presidency off to a positive start and not offend anyone. Consequently there is very little information and no controversy. One statement is perfectly balanced by another:
symbolizing an end, as well as a beginning - signifying renewal, as well as change.

"... this Nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world."

and the splendour of triumphal metaphors

"the torch has been passed", "the hand of God"

makes the audience feel positive and patriotic.

He summons every positive field of American pride and respect, alluding to
"freedom" , "Almighty God" , "our forebears" , "our ancient heritage"

calling on pride and honour to support his presidency but remaining imprecise about his cause and his objectives.

The speech is a good example of the phatic function of language, in which content and meaning is less important than the act of communicating ("how are you?", "lovely day")

No-one can disgree with this speech, but its effect is strong, emotional and positive. He uses politically affective words such as "rights of man", "human rights" which suggests the positive without committing him to any particular course of action.

See also

Six Secrets of JFK's inaugural address

Extracts from Churchill's speeches

Barack Obama's inaugural address

Mark Antony's speech at the Capitol (Shakespeare's Julius Caesar)