Extracts from Addresses 383
great dominions that England has taught to be as free and democratic
as America, all of whom have responded with such alacrity to her
call, her leadership and her need in the great world war. We, as one
of this proud group of Anglo-Saxon peoples, have our destiny, our
privilege and our responsibility, for it depends upon us acting together to
set the example for the world, to lift before the world the ideals in
which we believe.
I cannot but be thrilled by the thought of what has come to Great
Britain in this last week, the surrender of the German fleet, the only
rival there has been in recent years to the absolute supremacy of Great
Britain on the sea. How generously, how magnificently she has used
that power in the past! And with her are her great Allies: France the
ever memorable, France the magnificent, France of Jeanne d’Arc and
the lilies; and Italy; and Belgium; and even far-off, half-dreaming and
half-awakened Russia; and all the nations that have made alliance in
the cause of decency and democracy! We have joy in this fellowship
of the Anglo-Saxon people, the great people who are doing great things
under God, and are attempting to realize for the future those ideals of
civilization to which under His providence we have been called.