"Q. "What strictly on the basis of our own national interests, should are part be?
A. It is difficult, of course, to define our national interests, but is is always safe to assume that our chief national interest is the maintenance of our democracy and the well-being our own American people. It is true that we have a stake in the maintenance of democracy throughout the world. It is also true that many Americans have commercial interests abroad which they are naturally interested in protecting. It is far from certain, however, that this war or our involvement in it will protect any of those interests.
Our part should be first of all to protect our own democracy. Since experience has taught us that democracy vanishes in wartime, it would seem that the surest way to keep our form of government is to avoid involvement. We should also seek an adequate national defense to make sure that we can maintain our territorial integrity in the event we are attacked by a foreign power.
If, after announcing their intention to stay out of the war, as they have repeatedly done, the American people wish to aid Great Britain, they should do so. But they should make certain to keep aid and direct participation separate."
- Speakers Bureau, updated [1941]