ty, that in
union with their patriotism swayed the hearts of the American people,
and in their vision invested the war with the halo of highest and
most sacred duty to fellow-men? I speak of the great multitude, whom
we name the American people. They had been told of dire suffering by
neighboring people--struggling for peace and liberty; they believed
that only through war could they acquit themselves of the sacred
duty of rescuing that people from their sufferings. I state a broad,
undeniable fact. The dominating, impelling motive of the war in
the depths of the national heart of America was the sentiment of
humanity. The people of America offered their lives through no sordid
ambition of pecuniary gain, of conquest of territory, of national
aggrandizement. Theirs was the high-born ambition to succor fellowmen.

"What strength and power America was found to possess. When war was
declared, so small was her army, so small her navy that the thought of
war coming upon the country affrighted for the moment her own citizens
and excited the derisive smiles of foreigners. Of her latent resources
no doubt was possible; but how much time was needed to utilize them,
and, meanwhile, how much humiliation was possible. The President waved
his wand; instantly armies and navies were created as by magic. Within
a few weeks a quarter of a million of men were formed into regiments
and army corps; vessels of war and transport ships were covering the
seas; upon water and land battles were fought and great victories won,
from one side of the globe to the other. I know not of similar feats
in history. What if in this bewildering rush of a nation to arms
one department or another of the national administration was unable
to put in a moment its hand upon all the details which a thoroughly
rounded equipment required? The wonder is that the things that were
done could at all have been done, and that what was done so quickly
could have been done so well. The wonder is that this sudden creation
of such vast military forces was possible, even in America.

"What prowess in action, what intellect in planning, what skill
in execution, were displayed by soldiers and seamen, by men and
officers. Magnificent the sweep of Dewey's squadron in Manila
harbor. Magnificent the broadsides from Sampson's fleet upon Cervera's
fleeing ships. Magnificent the charge of regiments of regular infantry,
and of Roosevelt's riders up the hills of El Caney. Never daunted,