676 State Pavers and Addresses

Now, if ever, you feel intensely the meaning of final triumph over many
obstacles encountered during a long period of time. You have reached the
goal your parents and teachers placed before you years ago. You have success-
fully come through the various stages—primary, elementary and high school.
Each advancement was an encouragement to renew your best effort. Today
you have your reward.

But who of you two years ago, or one year ago, had any idea of the kind of
America or the kind of the world into which you were to step ? Did any one of
you even imagine that the nations of the world, not merely of Europe, would be
at war on sea, on land, and in the air; and that our land would be the arsenal
of Democracy—the source of supply for the needs of free men everywhere, and
that it would have armed forces in the British Isles or a National hero in far-
away Australia? Did any of you think that you would have to forego certain
foodstuffs or conveniences? And had any of you the slightest notion of how
much our physical civilization depends on four rubber tires?

Although it is true that life is not the same as it was, and that our daily
living is likely to be further disrupted, yet there are some things that must not
be altered. These things all of us—from the youngest to the oldest person
present—can help to keep as they are. We are free to come and go as we will,
to assemble, to speak our mind, to elect our local and National representatives,
and to worship in the church of our choice. We have schools of all kinds and
scholarships that enable girls and boys to carry out their fondest desires for
advanced study.

What has happened and is happening in Germany and in conquered coun-
tries brings home to us only more clearly the priceless blessings we enjoy here.
Teachers, for example, do not have to mix race hatred and arithmetic, race
superiority and biology, race myths and religion. Teachers do not have to
seize every opportunity to present the dictator Hitler as the greatest leader of
all the ages, so that even when they deal with ants and bees they must be sure
to point out how nature gives proof that all follow the Fuhrer (the leader).
The Nazi state has done its utmost to make teachers the perverters of youth,
and the teachers and schools of Germany must be charged with one of the
foulest crimes in all history. Who will say that they have not done their work
well ? But who will look upon the teachers and schools of our Country, by way
of contrast, and not be convinced that the German way is doomed to fail—and
that the sooner the Germans and their allies come to the realization of the true
meaning of Democracy and its ideals, the sooner will the sound development of
these nations begin?

It is heartening to learn that not all the teachers under German domina-
tion can be made to do the Fuhrer's bidding. The teachers of Norway recently
showed of what stuff they are made. You will recall that Norway was invaded
in April, 1940, and another major crime was committed by the Nazis. From
that day until the present the way of the Germans in that land of independent
souls has been difficult. Resistance has never ceased. Sabotage has been con-
sistent and successful.

So foiled have the efforts of the Nazis been that they at last decided to