One of these, named Alan Seeger, who wrote the
fine poem "I have a Rendezvous with Death," died in battle on our
Independence Day. He also wrote a poem called "A Message to
America." [Footnote: Seeger. Poems, pp. 164, 165.] In it he said
that America had once a leader:
... the man
Most fit to be called American.
In it he spoke further of the same leader
I have been too long from my country's shores
To reckon what state of mind is yours,
But as for myself I know right well
I would go through fire and shot and shell
And face new perils and make my bed
In new privations, if ROOSEVELT led.
One did not have to be long with the men who volunteered at the
beginning of the war to know that Roosevelt's spirit led these
men, and that they looked to him and trusted him as the great
American. The country's honor was safe in his hands, and no
mawkish nor cowardly words ever came from his lips.
He pointed out the folly of the pacifist type of public men, like
Mr. Bryan and Mr. Ford. The latter, helpless as a butterfly in
those iron years, led his quarreling group of pilgrims to Europe,
on his "Peace Ship," and then left them to their incessant fights
with each other. The American public was quick to see the
contrast, when war came, and Roosevelt's four sons and son-in-law
all volunteered, while Mr.
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