Ladies and gentlemen

The very word "secrecy" is repugnant in a free and open society

And there is very grave danger

For we are opposed around the world by a monolithic and ruthless conspiracy

That relies primarily on infiltration instead of invasion

On subversion instead of elections

Its preparations are concealed, not published

Its mistakes are buried, not headlined

Its dissenters are silenced, not praised

It is a system which has conscripted

Vast human and material resources

Into the building of a tightly knit, highly efficient machine

That combines military, diplomatic, intelligence

Economic, scientific and political operations

And we are as a people inherently and historically opposed

To secret societies

To secret oaths

And to secret proceedings