598 State Papers and Addresses

To make America as strong as she can be is the task of today. No matter
how glorious is our past, how noble were the deeds of the founding fathers,
all this will be to no avail unless we translate these things into action against
a ruthless enemy. Will this house of ours, the Citadel of America, stand un-
shaken against which the Powers of Evil and the Hosts of Barbarism will break
themselves and fall apart? That is the challenge which confronts our people
today.

Our forebears won the Battle of North Point and saved Fort McHenry,
but we must profit by their experience. We must not wait for major reverses
to be suffered before our people swing into full action against the enemy.

After what we have witnessed in recent months and years, after what we
have suffered in recent weeks, America must steel itself to the task of ridding
the world of these enemies of society. The present conflict will be renewed
again with our children, or our children's children, as the sufferers, until there
is ended permanently the terrible slavery of men which brought about this
action. America's aim must be to fight for the elimination of tyrants and of
barbarians who would constitute a continuing threat of decency and liberty the
world over.

Under a flag which has never known defeat, our people can march in honor
and in self-respect. Let us then glory in the strife that shall bring us the
greater appreciation of our many blessings. Let us devote our united wills to
the high purpose of restoring God's peace upon the earth, and let Americana
stop short of nothing to conquer the bloody-handed, the godless demons who
defy every law, every right and every privilege of mankind. If such a struggle,
and for such a cause, America cannot lose, but will most assuredly triumph in
an effort which is directed for the welfare and for the happiness of free men
and free women the world over.