Last night, President George W. Bush provided a reassuring voice to a grieving nation. Growing into his role as the 43rd president of the United States, Bush proved his ability to speak for a united America, to move beyond partisan disputes and to exercise steady leadership in a time of crisis.

On Sept. 11, terrorists attacked the ideals of justice, freedom and democracy. We stand behind Bush in his declaration that America must defend these values against those who wish to see them destroyed. His goal of eliminating terrorism worldwide is one that all Americans should support.

Bush rightly proclaimed that the battle against terrorism must begin at home. His creation of a new cabinet-level Office of Homeland Security fills a needed void in America’s security apparatus. We hope that its new director, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge, establishes a strong precedent in this role of balancing the need for heightened security with the diligent protection of civil liberties.

Yet protecting democratic values will require more than the leadership of one new Cabinet official; it will require the participation of all Americans. Bush deserves praise for emphasizing that innocent Americans of the Muslim faith or of Arab or South Asian descent must not become targets of retaliation. In defending freedom and justice, we must ensure that we do not desecrate them on our own soil.

We will not only fight these battles at home—we will inevitably fight them abroad as well. In the days ahead, America will embark on an unprecedented military campaign. Though he did not give many details of this campaign last night, Bush did make the crucial distinction that this fight will be waged neither against Islam, a peaceful religion, nor against the innocent people of any land, but only against a few radical individuals who have blasphemed Islam for their own twisted ends. We hope this distinction is not lost in any military campaign that will ensue.

Bush has demonstrated reasoned leadership by defining the ends of the struggle that lies ahead. His next duty to the American people will be to delineate just and humane means of seeing these goals to fruition.