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countrymen, though not in any partisan
sense, I must speak of the services
of the men and women who rallied to
the colors of the Republic in the
World War. America realizes and appreciates
the services rendered, the sacrifices
made, and the sufferings endured.
There shall be no distinctions between
those who knew the perils and glories
of the battlefront or the dangers
of the sea, and those who were compelled
to serve behind the lines, or those
who constituted the great reserve
of a grand army which awaited the
call in camps at home. All were brave.
All were self-sacrificing. All were
sharers of those ideals which sent
our boys twice armed to war.
Worthy sons
and daughters these. Fit successors
to those who christened our banners
in the immortal beginning. Worthy
sons of those who saved the Union
and nationality when civil war wiped
out the ambiguity from the Constitution.
Ready sons of those who drew the
sword for humanity's sake the first
time in the world in 1898. The four
million defenders on land and sea
were worthy of the best traditions
of a people never warlike in peace
and never pacifist in war. They
commanded our pride. They have our
gratitude, which must have genuine
expression. It's not only a duty
-- it's a privilege to see that
the sacrifices made shall be requited,
and that those still suffering from
casualties and visibilities shall
be abundantly aided and restored
to the highest capabilities of citizenship
and its enjoyments.
Much has
been said of late about world ideals.
But I prefer to think of the ideal
for America. I like to think there's
something more than the patriotism
and practical wisdom of the founding
fathers. It's good to believe that
maybe destiny held this New World
republic to be the supreme example
of representative democracy and
orderly liberty by which humanity
is inspired to higher achievement.
It is idle to think we have attained
perfection, but there is the satisfying
knowledge that we hold orderly processes
for making our government reflect
the heart and mind of the Republic.
Ours is not
only a fortunate people, but a very
commonsensical people, with vision
high, but their feet on the earth,
with belief in themselves and faith
in God. Whether enemies threaten
from without or menaces arise from
within, there is some indefinable
voice saying: "Have confidence
in the Republic. America will go
on." Here is the sample of
liberty no storms may shake. Here
are the altars of freedom no factions
shall destroy. It was American in
conception, American in its building.
It shall be American in the fulfillment.
Factional once, we are all American
now. And we mean to be all Americans
to all the world.
I would not
be my natural self if I did not
utter my consciousness of my limited
ability to meet your full expectation
or to realize the aspirations within
my own breast. But I'll gladly give
all that is in me, all of heart,
soul, and mind and the fighting
love of country, to service in our
common cause. I can only pray to
the omnipotent God that I may be
as worthy in service as I know myself
to be faithful in thought and purpose.
One cannot give more.
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