We may say, therefore, that our hope for peace depends on our re-
maining strong, and our strength, in the main, depends on the military
might of our armed forces. All Americans, of course, owe a debt of
eternal gratitude to patriots like you who fought in the great wars of our
country to safeguard the freedom we cherish. Would-be aggressors shrink
from their savage purpose when they recall the heroic deeds, the courage,
the military skill displayed by men like you in facing the enemies who
would destroy our Republic.

We owe a special debt of gratitude to organizations such as yours,
the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, for keeping our
citizens on the alert constantly as to the dangers which threaten us. Your
experience as soldiers, sailors and marines taught you the gravity of
these dangers and endowed you with unusual faculties for warding them
off. You have contributed much to the safety of your country and the
peace of the world by the persistent manner in which you have warned
the people of the perils and pointed out the path by which they can
escape them. The Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the other service
organizations, have continued to remind the people of this country that
we cannot deal with communism and other forces of aggression in peace
or in war unless we remain strong.

We must never allow ourselves to lag in providing the weapons and
materials needed for our defense and in training the manpower to use
them. I urge you, therefore, to continue your crusade for a strong
nation dedicated to peace but fully prepared to resist aggression.

It was the father of our country, who, in his first annual address to the
Congress of the United States, said: To be prepared for war is one of
the most effective means of preserving peace. " And now, once again
let me say it is a pleasure to be with you on this occasion. I offer you my
best wishes for a successful convention and most enjoyable visit in
Baltimore.

ADDRESS, THE GLOBAL CONFLICT
EASTON

November 16, 1959

All of us are aware that we are living in one of the most critical
periods in the history of mankind. We find ourselves in a sort of twilight
age in which one era of life on this globe has expired and another is just
beginning. As we stand on the threshold of a new age in history, we ask

278