Not only our statesmen, mind, but our people, our English people.

Our young men shirked their duty, our philosophers and essayists shirked theirs.

We prated of peace and conventions, and we knew very well that we were living in times when human nature and red blood were still the controlling elements.

We watched Germany arm and prepare.

We turned for comfort towards our fellow sinners, America, and we prattled about conventions and arbitration, and hundred other silly abstractions.