No one would propose that jingo speeches should be shouted from
public platforms, or that an attempt should be made to inflame
crude or unworthy passions. But the man who, when his country is
engaged in a righteous war and is fighting for her existence,
preaches the cause of that war is not a jingo; and the passions to
which he appeals are not unworthy, but are the noblest of which
human nature is capable.
I wish, therefore, to say that if the Government, with whom the
initiative must primarily lie--since no one would wish to do
anything that is contrary to their conception of sound
policy--desire that public meetings should be held in our great
centres of population, to explain the cause and circumstances of
the war, and the duty that lies upon the manhood of the nation, I
and, I am convinced, many others are ready to throw ourselves into
the task.
I have told the Prime Minister that I would be proud to appear on a
public platform with any member of the Government to state or
defend a case in which party is dead and where we are all united. I
doubt not that if they are required many others will be willing to
do the same.
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