From The Churchill Centre
This speech may be regarded as the most important Churchill
delivered as Leader of the Opposition (1945-1951). It contains certain
phrases- "the special relationship," "the sinews of peace " - which at
once entered into general use, and which have survived. But it is the
passage on "the iron curtain" which attracted immediate international
attention, and had incalculable impact upon public opinion in the United
States and in Western Europe. Russian historians date the beginning of
the Cold War from this speech. In its phraseology, in its intricate
drawing together of several themes to an electrifying climax- this
speech may be regarded as a technical classic. – Robert Rhodes James
I am glad to come to Westminster College this afternoon, and am complimented that you should give me a degree. The name "Westminster" is somehow familiar to me.
I seem to have heard of it before. Indeed, it was at Westminster that I received a very large part of my education in politics, dialectic, rhetoric, and one or two other things. In fact we have both been educated at the same, or similar, or, at any rate, kindred establishments.
It is also an honour, perhaps almost unique, for a private visitor to be introduced to an academic audience by the President of the United States. Amid his heavy burdens, duties, and responsibilities-unsought but not recoiled from-the President has travelled a thousand miles to dignify and magnify our meeting here to-day and to give me an opportunity of addressing this kindred nation, as well as my own countrymen across the ocean, and perhaps some other countries too. The President has told you that it is his wish, as I am sure it is yours, that I should have full liberty to give my true and faithful counsel in these anxious and baffling times. I shall certainly avail myself of this freedom, and feel the more right to do so because any private ambitions I may have cherished in my younger days have been satisfied beyond my wildest dreams. Let me, however, make it clear that I have no official mission or status of any kind, and that I speak only for myself. There is nothing here but what you see.
