My friends, when it is a powerful relationship, imbedded in rock as it were, which is under consideration, then the matter is more than superficial, and that which is at the bottom of this deeper fact, history is at this very moment showing us as she writes in characters of bronze before our eyes; because we have a common spirit which springs from the very depths of our hearts, for that reason are we friends!

And what is that spirit?  It is the spirit of the deep religious and moral culture which has possessed us through a succession of centuries and out of which this powerful American offshoot has sprung.  To this culture belong three things, or, rather, it rests upon three pillars.  The first pillar is the recognition of the eternal value of every human soul, consequently the recognition of personality and individuality.  These are respected, nourished, striven for.  Second is the recognition of the duty at any time to risk this human soul, which is to each one of us so dear, for that great ideal—­“God, freedom, and the Fatherland.”  The dearer that human soul, that life, is prized by us, Germans and Americans, the more surely do we give it up willingly and joyously when a high cause demands it.  And the third pillar is respect for law and therewith the capability for powerful organization in all lines and in all manner of communities.

A Different Culture.

But now before my eyes I see rising up against the culture which rests upon these three pillars—­personality, duty to sacrifice all for ideals, law and organization—­another culture, a culture of the horde whose Government is patriarchal, a civilization of the mob which is brought together and held together by despots, the Byzantine—­I must extend it further—­Mongolian-Muscovite culture.

My friends, this was once a true culture, but it is no longer.  This culture was not able to bear the light of the eighteenth century, still less that of the nineteenth, and now, in this twentieth century, it breaks out and threatens us—­this unorganized mob, this mob of Asia; like the sands of the desert it would sweep down over our harvest fields.  That we already know; we are already experiencing it.  That, too, the Americans know, for every one who has stood upon the ground of our civilization and who with a keen glance regards the present situation knows that the word must be:  “Peoples of Europe, save your most hallowed possessions!”

"I Cover My Head!"

This, our culture, the chief treasure of mankind, was in large part, yes, almost wholly, intrusted to three peoples:  to us, to the Americans, and—­to the English.  I will say no more!  I cover my head!  Two still remain, and must stand all the more firmly together where this culture is menaced.  It is a question of our spiritual existence, and Americans will realize that it is also their existence.  We have a common culture, and a common duty to protect it!

To you, American citizens, we give the holy pledge that we shall offer our last drop of blood in the cause of this culture.  May I in addition say to you, since I have made this pledge, that we shall as a matter of course protect those of you here in our land and care for you and do everything for you?  If we have made the greater pledge, surely we can manage these trifles.