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"America's Accomplishments"
From the moment of the declaration by Germany, she would
reopen her inhuman warfare by the indiscriminate use of submarines.
From that instant, history grows in America, and with a voice as
near unanimous as history records, cried defiance at the greatest
military power in the world. Righteous indignation, appreciating
that not only the liberty of our own citizens was involved, but
that the rights of humanity were jeopardized, impelled us to a task
not more stupendous than is the realization we accomplished our set
purpose in an incredibly short time to the bewilderment of a yet
admiring world.
From a community of agriculturalists, manufacturers, and
merchants, unaccustomed to the use of arms or to military methods,
an army of four million men was raised. Boats, guns, ammunition
and all equipment were supplied in more than sufficient quantity.
Two million men were transported across three thousand miles of
infested sea and landed with eager hearts on foreign soil, in
itself an accomplishment for which history draws no parallel. Even
in the ages to come will the story be told in song and carried down
in the minds and hearts of men -- a fame more lasting than
ineffaceable records on stone.
That incredible organization of the man-power and woman-power
throughout the United States, that marvelous marshalling of
resources, electrified the men. Each one conscious of the united
purpose of the whole nation, so that when the leash was loosed they
set upon and overcame the greatest military autocracy the world had
ever known, and put the stars and the stripes on the ramparts of
the Rhine. Valiant men, sterling officers, loyal citizens at home,
each and all participated and were directed to everlasting victory
in thought and word and deed by Woodrow Wilson, Commander-in-Chief
of the armies and of the navies of the United States.
Yet there are those among us even who would detract from the
splendor of our victory. There are those who attempt by innuendo
indirect, and by unshamed criticism to destroy the reputation of
their country. Shame on him who points at America the finger of
scorn. The sons and daughters of America have pride in their
accomplishments and will resent the utterances of those who do not
tender her full glory for it. From this point of view it may be
easily proclaimed we should have done this or we should not have
done that. But I defy the man to raise his voice who would have
dared say then, not now, we should not have bought one more gun,
nor trained another soldier and to have assumed responsibility for
defeat. We sought not responsibility for defeat, we sought
victory, and centuries ago Caesar said it for us: "We came, we saw,
we conquered." Ah, the living need not sing the praise, for
generations yet unborn will constant testimony bear, and the record
of America in the great world war will stand the greatest wonder of
the world.
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