nd therefore proved itself a natural foe to liberty by its conduct in thewar, its subversive activities in the United States, and its intrigues and itsplots, as evidenced in the Zimmerman note (Baker 513). President Wilsoncalled his nation to put forth every effort to halt the power of the GermanEmpire. This sentiment is manifested in his next paragraph as Wilsonsummarizes his war aims into one all encompassing goal: to make the worldsafe for democracy (Clements 140). Wilson uses an hyperbole tocharacterize Americans struggle as one to secure peace for the wholeworld, one to insure to rights of nations great and small, and one tosafeguard the privilege of men everywhere to choose their way of life and ofobedience (Baker 513). Once again Wilson affirms that the United Statesupon entry into the war desires no conquest, no dominion (Baker 513). TheUnited States is readily willing to make sacrifices without compensation inorder to secure the undenible rights of mankind (Safire 115). Thesestatements regarding Wilsons principles work not only to convince the nationof the obligation America has in guaranteeing freedom, but also to pacify hisown reservations as to why he might be leading his country into war. Wilson ended with an apologetic peroration full of regret. He beganby admitting the anguish he felt over having to bring this issue beforeCongress and acknowledged that his was an oppressive and distressing duty(Baker 513). The President wearily recognized that the road ahead of theAllies was going to be a long one and he did not attempt to shield thecountry from the after-cost in terms of trial and sacrifice to the nationand to civilization ( Baker 513). Wilson expressed his personal objectives in the final paragraph of hisspeech (Baker 514). Solemn, though very powerful, Wilson asked his fellowAmericans to dedicate their lives and their fortunes, everything that weare and everything that we have, with th...
