Read the excerpt from president woodrow wilson’s speech, "war message to congress." we must put excited feelings away. our motive will not be revenge or the victorious assertion of the physical might of the nation, but only the vindication of right, of human right, of which we are only a single champion. president wilson is trying to convince his listeners that going to war is not about emotions but about defending the nation. about showing the world the power of the nation. not about spreading peace throughout the world. about sitting back and waiting to see what will happen.