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PREFACE

THROUGHOUT Our history the greatest waves of patriotism have been awakened and inspired by the speeches of those who, thrilled with the spirit of a great cause, have sounded a note which roused the country to action.

It was President Wilson's message to Congress in April, 1917, that sounded the call that roused America to service, sacrifice and battle, just as Patrick Henry's speech in 1775 roused the Virginians.

This book gives some of the great speeches which have either inspired our fore-fathers or have inspired us to use the vast resources of our country for the causes of liberty, freedom, justice or World Democracy. It gives these speeches in the order of their occurrence, and by way of introduction tells enough of the story of the times so that one may understand the full significance of each of these great masterpieces. The historical setting and the speeches together present a very important part of the history of our country in a most impressive way.

The reading of this book cannot fail to make better American citizens-imbued with a still more patriotic spirit and with a much greater reverence for our flag.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

THE Authors gratefully acknowledge their indebtedness to the following publishers and authors for permission to reprint copyrighted material:

HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY: Paul Revere's Ride.
Concord Hymn. Barbara Frietchie.
State.

The Ship of

HENRY HOLT & COMPANY and THE ATLANTIC
MONTHLY. The Blue and the Gray.

THE YOUTH'S COMPANION. The Flag Goes By.
THE PHILADELPHIA RECORD. The War Ship of 1812.
DOUBLEDAY PAGE & COMPANY. Speech of René
Viviani. Taken from "Addresses in the United
States by M. René Viviani and Marshal Joffre."
F. L. STANTON. The Old Flag Forever.

JOHN LANE COMPANY. The United States Not a
War-like Nation.

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