[Cheers.] Is there any one in this
hall or in this United Kingdom or in the vast empire of which we here
stand in the capital and centre who blames or repents our decision?
[Cries of "No!"] For these reasons, as I believe, we must steel
ourselves to the task, and in the spirit which animated our forefathers
in their struggle against the domination of Napoleon we must and we
shall persevere to the end. [Cheers.]
Memorable and Glorious Example of Belgium.
It would be a criminal mistake to underestimate either the magnitude,
the fighting quality, or the staying power of the forces which are
arrayed against us. But it would be equally foolish and equally
indefensible to belittle our own resources, whether for resistance or
attack. [Cheers.] Belgium has shown us by a memorable and a glorious
example what can be done by a relatively small State when its citizens
are animated and fired by the spirit of patriotism. In France and Russia
we have as allies two of the greatest powers of the world engaged with
us in a common cause, who do not mean to separate themselves from us any
more than we mean to separate ourselves from them. [Cheers.] We have
upon the seas the strongest and most magnificent fleet that has ever
been seen.
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