692 State Papers and Addresses

I believe, and every person here believes with me, I am sure, that to permit
American ideals of Government to be laid aside would be an everlasting blot
upon the conscience of every American. The American system with its recogni-
tion of the individual as the sole cause of Government is the truest realization
of an ideal of Government that exists in the world today. It is little wonder
our forefathers found it such an inspiration, it is little wonder that through-
out all the years Americans were ever ready to give their all to defend it.
Surely today with conditions as they are throughout the world we should be
poor Americans indeed, if we did not measure up to the high standards of
National conduct set by those who preceded us.

Ours is a peace-loving Nation; the citizens of America did not desire war.
They crave to live in peace and concord with their fellow-men and women
throughout the world, and are not jealously seeking any possessions of her
sister nations. Inter-national peace and good will are intensely desired by our
people. America had enough of war twenty years ago and the loss, both in
men and property, is still being suffered.

Above all such considerations, however, the people of America realize
that there are things infinitely worse than war. In fact, nearly all of Europe to-
day furnishes striking example of this fact. What it will cost us to win this
war, only the future will say, but whatever comes I have faith that the people
of America will shoulder their responsibilities, and put their heart and soul
into whatever efforts are demanded of them. America values its freedom, its
unique place among the nations of the world too thoroughly ever to permit
them to be taken from her.

The future is uncertain, indeed, but if we face it with a keen sense of our
responsibilities, new citizens as well as old, we can find a solution to our prob-
lems. We can retain for ourselves and for those to come after us, all that has
made America the great Nation that it is, all that makes life in America worth-
while.