Page:The World's Famous Orations Volume 7.djvu/241

 BARON D'ESTOURNELLES DE CONSTANT of our judging of its work. No one flatters himself that war can be rendered impossible, but a great change has taken place, and this change marks the opening of a new era in the world.

All the civilized powers have officially recognized the necessity of instituting an international tribunal. A court of arbitration has been created. The governments, it is true, are extremely slow in appealing to it, but public opinion, little by little enlightened as to its duties and its interests, will soon knock itself at her doors, and it is we, Americans and French, who will lead opinion along this way.

We have, therefore, to-day as much as ever, a great role to perform together. The brotherhood of our two countries has been fruitful in the past; we can make it still mere fruitful in the future.

One hundred years ago our fathers fought for Independence; their victory, great as it was, is not yet complete.

Our Washington, our Lafayette, must never cease to be our guides; their voice bids us still to follow their flag, still to continue their work; let us harken to them. We are friends, but it is not enough to be friends; let us also be fellow soldiers. They gave to their descendants Liberty; we must give Peace to ours.