May. 1918 . C. U. C. P. ALUMNI JOURNAL 69 



world's principles. The President of the University said that this is no time for 

 jest; that our thoughts are all on the plane of hio^h seriousness, because our 

 thoughts are all upon one subject. They are upon the subject of war. We are 

 absorbed by it, we think of nothing else. Why? Is it because we like war? No! 

 Is it because we believe in war? No! No one likes war except the barbarian. 

 Civilized people abhor war. They only resort to war in order to protect civiliza- 

 tion, and when it is necessary to protect the rights of civilization, war is justified. 

 Do we relish war because of the zest it gives us? No! Do we relish war as the 

 hunter enjoys the hunt? Not at all. That is not the nature of our people. We 

 welcome the opportunity before us to settle war. forever, let us hope. And if we 

 can do that, what a great service will be rendered to humanity ! 



How important the work of these graduates in this tremerdous struggle 

 that is going on all over the world ! Why are our thoughts upon a plane of high 

 seriousness? Because we believe that the principles of the world are in danger. 

 Is this too strong a statement? I think not. The principles of the world are in 

 danger and the principles of the world will not be secure until this war is won 

 by America and her allies. (Applause). 



Today I had the very great privilege of listening to a speech made by the 

 directing genius of the American Red Cross. Mr. Henry P. Davison. He he'd 

 just landed from the steamer that brought him from Europe, where he had been 

 to supervise the work of the Red Cross. He said in terms that I wish you could 

 all have heard, he said it in a way that I wish you could all have perceived, that 

 there was serious work to be done ; that the situation upon the other side is 

 serious. Those were his very words, "The situation is serious." But because 

 the situation is serious, that does not mean that we are not going to win the war. 

 It means that we must realize the work that we have got to do. What is- this 

 work? It is to secure for ourselves and posterity the benefits of civilization; to 

 wipe out. if it be possible, the work of those who are opposed to human liberty. 

 .A.fter all of the sacrifices that have been made for human liberty, after all that 

 this nation itself has endured for promoting the cause of human liberty, we 

 thought that cause was secure, we thought it was firmly established. We thought 

 it was so firmly established that it could not be uprooted until about three and a 

 half to four years ago, and then we realized that human liberty still had great 

 battles to fight if it was to be ultimately the policy of the civilized nations of the 

 earth. Liberty, — -what a beautiful word! Liberty, — how sweet! Liberty, — that 

 purpose for which men have suffered and women have offered all that was best 

 in them and all that was dear to them ! There is no other word that in a political 

 or civic sense means so much to us as Liberty. And why is Liberty in danger? 

 Because there are those in the world who believe that they have a right to rule 

 if they can only secure the physical power with which to impose their will upon 

 all peoples. That is the great issue before the world today. Will it prevail, or 

 will human liberty prevail? It would be more pleasing, much more pleasing to 

 me if I could stand here and say to you tonight, "Human liberty is safe; there 

 is nothing to fear. Our cause is won, our success is assured." But, ladies and 

 gentlemen we must be candid with each other and with ourselves. That state- 



