free and open. I know the limitation of my function and responsibility
in education, and I assure you of my resolution not to interfere in areas
which should be exclusively yours. The determination of curricula and
methods of teaching, for example, is a matter for your judgment. You
are qualified by training and experience to exercise such judgment, and
interference by government, or at a political level, can be exceedingly
dangerous. But education in general is a primary function of government
and is therefore, of necessity, of concern and importance to those of us
engaged in the affairs of State.

I would summarize by saying that I remain dedicated to the educa-
tional philosophy and educational system which we have established
here in Maryland—to the principle that every citizen is entitled to the
best education that his government can afford, provided by a partnership
of local and State governments.

I feel that I would be remiss if I concluded my remarks without taking
this opportunity to enthusiastically thank you all for the tremendous
job that you are continuing to perform in the preparation of our young
citizens to meet and master the problems of our age. The dedicated
service that you routinely give, day in, and day out, does more to shape
the future course of our government, at all levels, than any of you will
ever realize. Through your work you carry the meaning of freedom,
decency, and democracy into the hearts of children. Such is a noble task,
nobly performed. For myself and in behalf of all the citizens of our
great State, I salute you, I congratulate you, and I thank you for your
tireless efforts.

ADDRESS, STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION CONFERENCE

BALTIMORE

November 19, 1959

Historical developments since the end of the second great World War
have made it abundantly clear to all of us in this country that we must
redouble our efforts in many areas of endeavor if we are to maintain our
freedom and our way of life.

Our ally in the war, the Soviet Union, became a fierce competitor
and a potential enemy as the post-war world shifted into two competing
and basically hostile camps—the democratic nations in the one and the
communistic totalitarian nations in the other. The leadership of the
democracies became the burden of the United States by virtue of its
strength as world power, while the Soviet Union assumed the direction

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