arry out and manifest it. For
example, we might think it good to build a church but simply thinking of
it as a good thing will not help its erection. The ways and means must be
provided; we must will to build it and then proceed with the construction.
All of us know that international peace is good, that it is conducive to
human welfare and the glory of man but volition and action are necessary
before it can be established. Action is the essential. Inasmuch as this
century is a century of light, capacity for action is assured to mankind.
Necessarily the divine principles will be spread among men until the time
of action arrives. Surely this has been so and truly the time and
conditions are ripe for action now. All men know that verily war is the
destroyer of human foundations and in every country of the world this is
admitted and apparent. I find the United States of America an exceedingly
progressive nation, the government just, the people in a state of
readiness and the principle of equality established to an extraordinary
degree. Therefore it is my hope that inasmuch as the standard of
international peace must be upraised it may be upraised upon this
continent, for this nation is more deserving and has greater capacity for
such an initial step than any other. If other nations should attempt to do
this the motive will be misunderstood. For instance, if Great Britain
should declare for international peace it will be said that it has been
done to insure the safety of her colonies. If France should hoist the
standard other nations will declare some hidden diplomatic policy
underlies the action; Russia would be suspected of national designs if the
first step were taken by that people, and so on with all the European and
eastern governments. But the United States of America could not be accused
of any such selfish interest. Your government has, strictly speaking, no
colonies to protect. You are not endeavoring to extend your domain nor
have you need of territorial expansion. Therefore if America takes the
first step toward the establishing of world peace it is certain to be
ascribed to unselfishness and altruism. The world will say, "There is no
other motive than altruism and service to humanity in this action by the
United States." Therefore it is my hope that you may stand forth as the
first herald of peace and hoist this banner; for this banner will be
hoisted. Raise it aloft, for you are the most qualified and deserving o