Our freedom did not come free. This dignity of humanity was earned by others at the greatest of costs. That's right. Earned. And they did not give freedom to us. They merely loaned us this marvel. It is ours only so long as we are willing to guard it jealously, to defend it, and to fight for it. We must constantly pay the price for freedom else it will be ripped away from us, as has happened to so many of the world's peoples of the past and of today.

But what is the price?

The price is caution. We must exercise these rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness very carefully. Whenever our actions begin to usurp the freedom of another person, we are beginning to destroy freedom for all.

The price is vigilance. We must be suspicious of practices that endanger freedom, and. cautious of people who promote such practices. Insidious encroachments will silently strip away our freedom little by little if we are not on guard.

The price is action. We must stand forcefully against threats -- move actively against prejudice, bigotry, and unequal treatment of other Americans. If you and. I don't stand up for our rights -- and. the rights of all Americans -- who will? But we cannot be hypocritical and consider that only Americans deserve freedom. We must also be prepared to assist those in other countries. If we really believe in freedom, then it must be a belief in freedom for all people -- the freedom for those of all countries to live in the way they think is best.

The price is education. We must study all the meanings of freedom -- must learn when to be cautious, when to be vigilant, and. when to act.

The price is blood. We must defend freedom with our lives when necessary. This price bas been paid by many, so that we could grow up in freedom. If we also must die, it will at least be with the memory of freedom's sweetness. And the price will be paid for those who remain.

Sure. the price of freedom is high -- in its cautious exercise, in vigilance, and in action -- and in the blood of those who would enjoy freedom' s loveliness. But the choice is simple. To live enslaved and die, never knowing individual dignity -- or to live -- and perhaps die -- as a free human being. The legacy we wish for all people makes the choice overpoweringly easy. Too many who cannot would give anything for a day of freedom . . . an hour . . .a moment. Those of us who can will gladly pay the price. I will.