From President Wilson’s Message, The Spectator, 12 December 1915:
We quite agree that it is the greatness and glory of America to be the true friend of all nations, to “threaten none, covet the possession of none, and desire the overthrow of none.” No ideal could be higher or better worth preserving. We also are entirely with President Wilson when he says that the American people should be specially proud of being the champions of peace and concord. But we would urge him and his fellow-citizens not to be content with general expressions, but, in America’s own vigorous language, to ” make good.” Americans must not feed themselves on the enervating food of generalization. Let them be lovers of peace, but let them take thought how to defend its citadel. Artemus Ward, in one of those pieces of inspired humour which delighted our fathers in the “sixties,” grimly remarked that, though the pen might be mightier than the sword, it stood a very slim chance against the needle-gun! Generous thoughts and generous feelings are mighty things, no doubt, but, like the pen, they would stand a very slim chance against a German machine gun or the howitzers which shattered the forts of Liege, Namur, and Antwerp. The Angel of Peace, if she is not to be smothered with artillery fire, needs very strong protectors.
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