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Roosevelt Stresses Religious Freedom, Hits Axis Efforts to Stir Discord

January 7, 1941
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World-wide freedom of religion was named today by President Roosevelt, in his address to Congress, as one of the “four essential human freedoms” to which the United States looked forward in the future. He spoke before a packed House chamber.

Discussing the four freedoms, the President said: “The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way–everywhere in the world.”

The President’s address also left no doubt that his conception of an adequate peace included justice to minorities. “We know that enduring peace cannot be bought at the price of other peoples’ freedom,” he said.

Indications that a strong drive against-Axis-sponsored and inspired organizations in this country would form an important point in America’s defense program was seen in the President’s warning against the Axis plan of “spreading poisonous propaganda and seeking to promote discored in nations still at peace” as part of its drive towards world domination.

“The first phase of the invasion of this hemisphere would not be the landing of regular troops,” he said. “The necessary strategic point would be occupied by secret agents and their dupes, and great numbers of them are already here and in Latin America.”

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