686 State Papers and Addresses

Many of the people of the United States today are living under a false
sense of security. But thousands, yes, millions of people in certain European
countries also slept upon the same thought, only to awaken and find themselves
in slavery. There is no security unless we win this war.

To every citizen we throw down the gauge of true Americanism. We can-
not accept our Country's gifts without shouldering its responsibilities, without
pledging ourselves to carry on and to sustain at whatever cost may be entailed
the heritage of freedom and liberty that has been entrusted to our care.

Today, in face of the dangers that threaten our Country from without,
and with full knowledge of the forces seeking to weaken us from within, I con-
tend that now as never before it is the duty of every American citizen to re-
double his efforts for the sake of the liberties he enjoys, and to discharge even
more fully the responsibilities which his citizenship entails.

With such devotion to Country and such unity of purpose, America cannot
lose. Our flag has never suffered defeat, but gallant and patriotic citizens are
needed to carry it through the storm which now surrounds it. That it will be
carried victoriously is our absolute belief. When victory is achieved we then
will have greater reason to value our citizenship. Then and now, the greatest
possession to which any human being can point will be the citizen's proud
declaration that

"I AM AN AMERICAN!"