Most educated Americans hope and believe that by defeating the
German barbarousness the Allies will only promote the noble
German civilization.
In other words, German military and political power is to be crushed in
order to set free the German genius for science, literature, and art. It
is interesting to contrast with such views as these the following words
of Goethe, uttered in 1813:
I have often felt a bitter grief at the thought of the German
people, which is so noble individually and so wretched as a
whole. A comparison of the German people with other nations
gives us painful feelings, which I try to overcome by all
possible means; and in science and art I have found the wings
which lift me above them. But the comfort which they afford
is, after all, only a miserable comfort, and does not make up
for the proud consciousness of belonging to a nation strong,
respected, and feared. However, I am comforted by the thought
of Germany's future. Yes, the German people has a future. The
destiny of the Germans is not yet fulfilled. The time, the
right time, no human eye can foresee, nor can human power
hasten it on.
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