Secretary Lansing delivered another address in New York on June 5 at
the commencement exercises of Columbia University. In accepting an
honorary degree from that institution he said:
Today this Republic stands with the democracies of the earth
arrayed in battle against the most relentless enemy of human
liberty which the ages have produced. To save this country of ours
and to save the civilized world from Prussianism has become the
supreme duty of the American people and of all other peoples who
love justice and freedom.
In this titanic struggle we are joined not only with France, our
historic ally, but also with Great Britain, our ancient foe. On
the blood-stained fields of France we three, together with Italy,
Belgium, and Portugal, are standing shoulder to shoulder against
the plunderers. Our traditional friendship for France, which can
never be forgotten, and our traditional enmity for Great Britain,
which is forgotten, are swallowed up in this supreme crisis of
liberty, our common heritage. The grave perils to our lives as
nations unite us with bonds of steel as our armies face the foe of
all mankind.
I am proud that in these terrible days we are associated with
the tenacious warriors of Britain; I am proud that with our
blood we can on French soil prove the affection which we cherish
for the French people; I am proud that Italy, superb in her
determined resistance, is our partner in this conflict, and that
the indomitable spirit of the Belgians and Serbs is a living
inspiration to gallant deeds and noble sacrifice. I am proud, as I
know every American is proud, to be thus united with the nations
which hate Prussianism and loathe the evil desires which it
engenders in the hearts of men.
Prussianism has appealed to the sword, and by the sword
Prussianism must fall. It is the divine law of retribution which
we as the instruments of justice must enforce so that the world
may be forever rid of this abomination. * * *
Let us understand that a Prussian-made peace would not be the end;
that it would only postpone the final struggle. Now that this war
has come upon us we must carry it through to a decision. We must
not transmit to future generations the germs of militarism. From
the spirit of despotism, which has caused this awful tragedy, this
war must free the world. We have suffered enough. The nations must
never endure such black days of agony as those in which we are
living.
It is the supreme task of civilization to put an end to
Prussianism. To listen to proposals for a Prussian peace, to
compromise with the butchers of individuals and of nations so that
they would by agreement gain a benefit from their crimes would
be to compound an international felony, which this Republic will
never do.
Force is the one way to end Prussianism, for it is the only thing
which the Prussian respects. This war for democracy must be waged
to a successful conclusion to make liberty and justice supreme on
the earth. It will be a bitter struggle, with lights and shadows,
for the foe is strong and stubborn; but in the end we shall
triumph, for we must triumph or abandon all that is worth while in
this world. May every American so live and so serve that when the
day of victory over the Prussians dawns, as it will dawn, he may,
by right of faithful service, share in the glory.
To that bright hour let us look forward with confidence, for the
Supreme Ruler of the Universe could not decree otherwise. He has
imposed upon us and our brave comrades in arms the task of freeing
mankind from the curse of avarice and inhumanity which besets us.
He has put upon us the burden of making this world a fit dwelling
place for civilized men. Let us not shrink from the task or seek
to avoid the burden. Convinced of the righteousness of our cause
and of our destiny let us make war with all our energy. Let us
keep our banners unfurled and our trumpets sounding to battle
until victory is achieved.
Prussia wickedly sought war and Prussia shall have war and more
war and more war until the very thought of war is abhorrent to
the Prussian mind. So I read the spirit of America. So I read
the supreme purpose of the Allies. Victory lies before us and
beyond victory a just and enduring peace. Until that peace is sure
America cannot and will not put aside the sword.