this. If the old British spirit is alive in British hearts, that bully will be torn from his seat. [Great cheering.] Were he to win, it would be the greatest catastrophe that had befallen democracy since the days of the Holy Alliance and its ascendancy.
They think we cannot beat them. It will not be easy. It will be a long job. It will be a terrible war. But in the end we shall march through terror to triumph. [Applause.] We shall need all our qualities; every quality that Britain and its people possess—prudence in counsel, daring in action, tenacity in purpose, courage in defeat, moderation in victory; in all things, faith; and we shall win. [Applause.]
It has pleased them to believe and to preach the belief that we are a decadent, degenerate nation. They proclaim it to the world, through their professors—[laughter]—that we are an unheroic nation, skulking behind our mahogany counters, whilst we are egging on more gallant races to their destruction. This is a description given of us in Germany—a timorous, craven nation, trusting to its fleet. I think they are beginning to find out their mistake already. [Applause.] And there are half a million of young men of Britain who have already registered their vow to their King that they will cross the sea and hurl that insult against British courage against its perpetrators on the battlefields of France and of Germany. [Applause.] And we want half a million more. And we shall get them. [Applause.]
But Wales must continue doing her duty. I should like to see a Welsh army in the field. I should like to see the race who faced the Normans for hundreds of years in their struggle for freedom, the race that helped to win the battle of Crecy, the race that fought for a generation under Glendower against the greatest captain in Europe—I should like to see that race give a good taste of its quality in this struggle in Europe, and they are going to do it. [Cheers.]
I envy you young people your youth. They have put up the age limit for the Army—[laughter]—but I march, I am sorry to say, a good many years even beyond that. But still our turn will come. It is a great opportunity. It only comes once in many centuries to the children of men. For most generations, sacrifice comes in drab weariness of spirit to men. It has come to-day to you; it has come to-day to us all, in the form of the glow and thrill of a great movement for liberty, that impels millions throughout Europe to the same end.
