Page:Patriotic pieces from the Great War, Jones, 1918.djvu/201

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FROM THE GREAT WAR
197

AMERICA GOES IN SINGING

"The American troops will fight side by side with the British and French troops and the Star Spangled Banner will float beside the French and English flags in the plains of Picardy."

This was the official answer to General Pershing's words to General Foch:

"All that we have are yours, to dispose of them as you will."

When Pershing stood at the tomb of Lafayette and uttered the briefest and finest war address that has been delivered, "Lafayette, we are here!" he spoke for the American spirit, to the soul of the French people. Our country from sea to sea ratified the message of a soldier unafraid. It was

"The voice of one for millions,
In whom the millions rejoice
For giving their one spirit voice."

Even so with Pershing's offer of our whole armed force at once, to beat back the tidal wave of the flagellated myrmidons of Prussia. The country that we love will send into No Man's Land, to reclaim it for God and from the Devil, its first hundred thousand, its million, and then its millions more, if they are needed, to assure the triumph of the right and the salva-