. It is for historic ideals that we
are fighting. If this nation is one for which we should pour out our
savings, postpone our differences, go hungry, and even give up life
itself, it is not because it is a rich, extensive, well-fed and populous
nation; it is because from its early days America has pressed onward
toward a goal of its own; that it has followed an ideal, the ideal of a
democracy developing under conditions unlike those of any other age or
country.

We are fighting not for an Old World ideal, not for an abstraction, not
for a philosophical revolution. Broad and generous as are our
sympathies, widely scattered in origin as are our people, keenly as we
feel the call of kinship, the thrill of sympathy with the stricken
nations across the Atlantic, we are fighting for the historic ideals of
the United States, for the continued existence of the type of society in
which we believe, because we have proved it good, for the things which
drew European exiles to our shores, and which inspired the hopes of the
pioneers.

We are at war that the history of the United States, rich with the
record of high human purposes, and of faith in the destiny of the common
man under freedom, filled with the promises of a better world, may not
become the lost and tragic story of a futile dream.

Yes, it is an American ideal and an American example for which we fight;
but in that ideal and example lies medicine for the healing of the
nations. It is the best we have to give to Europe, and it is a matter of
vital import that we shall safeguard and preserve our power to serve the
world, and not be overwhelmed in the flood of imperialistic force that
wills the death of democracy and would send the freeman under the yoke.
Essential as are our contributions of wealth, the work of our
scientists, the toil of our farmers and our workmen in factory and
shipyard, priceless as is the stream of young American manhood which we
pour forth to stop the flood which flows like moulten lava across the
green fields and peaceful hamlets of Europe toward the sea and turns to
ashes and death all that it covers, these contributions have their
deeper meaning in the American spirit. They are born of the love of
Democracy.

Long ago in prophetic words Walt Whitman voiced the meaning of our
present sacrifices:

"Sail, sail thy best, ship of Democracy,
Of value is thy freight, 'tis not the Present only,
The Past is also stored in thee,