Champ Clark speech transcript - n.d.
Transcript
[page 1] In this supreme crisis of our affairs--not of ours alone, but of the whole world’s affairs—it is the duty of every American, male or female, native or naturalized, to support and sustain the Government in every manner possible--mentally, morally, physically, financially. That is the plain and imperative duty we owe to our ancestors, to ourselves and above all to our posterity. From time immemorial orators, philosophers, statesmen and poets have exalted patriotism as the sublimest virtue. Centuries ago Horace sang: “Dulce et decorum pro patris mori”--“It is sweet and glorious to die for one’s country.” However that may be, it is
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[page 2] sweet and glorious to live and work for one’s country, and we can all do that much. We cannot in good conscience do less. I beg to suggest that patriotism does not consist entirely in public speeches, braying bands, flag-bedecked parades, and vociferous asseverations of love of country, but genuine patriotism consists in being a thorough-going American citizen, discharging all the various duties of citizenship every day of the 365, thereby showing forth the blessings and glories of our free and beneficent institutions to all the world. That’s the real way for any of us to prove our patriotism--for it is written, “By their works ye shall know them.”
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[page 3] The work done by the 65th Congress is amazing, stupendous. The sums of money appropriated stagger the imagination. The Congress will vote every man and every dollar necessary to carry this titanic war to a successful conclusion. We have given to the President every ounce of power which he had deemed necessary to the proper discharge of his tremendous functions as commander-in-chief of our army and navy. The 65th Congress will go into history as the Great War Congress while the President’s fame fills the World. Benjamin Disraeli, the most brilliant Englishman since Lord Byron was gathered to his fathers, once declared that contemporary foreign opinion touching the character of
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[page 4] a public man is identical with the final verdict of history. If so, President Wilson is in happy case. When elected Governor of New Jersey he announced himself as the Leader of the people of that State. When elected President he declared himself the Leader of the American people. In both instances he was correct. Now come the people of more than half the world and acclaim him their Leader--and they also are correct. They have exhausted the earth’s lexicons to give him honor, endorsement, and praise. More than a million of our men are in battle array in France, and Italy and they are comporting themselves as American soldiers have always done with splendid
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[page 5] courage and skill. Here at home we are intensely proud of them. In fact the whole world is loud in praise of their magnificent achievements. It thrills our hearts to know that they carry upon their bayonets in the far flung battle lines of Europe the honor of the Republic and the safety of Government of the people, by the people and for the people. It will be a memorable, a glorious day when they come marching home with victory perched upon their banners.
Details
| Title | Champ Clark speech transcript - n.d. |
| Creator | Clark, Champ |
| Source | Clark, Champ. Speech transcript. n.d. Clark, Champ (1850-1921) and Bennett Champ (1890-1954), Papers, 1853-1973. C0666. The State Historical Society of Missouri, Columbia, MO. |
| Description | In this speech transcript, Champ Clark encouraged patriotism and American involvement in World War I. Champ Clark, a long-time resident of Bowling Green, Missouri, was a politician in the Democratic Party. He served as a representative of Missouri from 1893 to 1895 and from 1897 to 1921. From 1911 to 1919 he served as the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. |
| Subject LCSH | Clark, Champ, 1850-1921; World War, 1914-1918--Propaganda; World War, 1914-1918--Political aspects--United States; Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924 |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I |
| Site Accession Number | C0666 |
| Contributing Institution | The State Historical Society of Missouri |
| Copy Request | Transmission or reproduction of items on these pages beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the State Historical Society of Missouri: 1020 Lowry Street, Columbia, Missouri, 65201-7298. (573) 882-7083. |
| Rights | The text and images contained in this collection are intended for research and educational use only. Duplication of any of these images for commercial use without express written consent is expressly prohibited. |
| Language | English |