with the threat of an attack within our borders by a foreign power.
We all realize that with the sophisticated weapons of today, the
enemy can attack us from within his own homeland. We know also
that such an attack would seriously affect our way of life. It is
absolutely necessary that we plan now how to survive this possible
attack and determine what measures and actions would be necessary
to restore as rapidly as possible our normal mode of life. Government
alone cannot accomplish these tasks. We need your support. Your
presence here today indicates your willingness to give it. I am proud of
the accomplishments of Maryland and know that with the mutual
respect and cooperation that exists between our government and
industry we will be able to meet the threats and survive.

One of the most important aspects of these sessions today is what
they represent. We are here as a free society planning, as our fore-
fathers did, for the protection of our nation. Contrast this, if you
will with the communist world. How would our enemies hold a
similar meeting? Certainly not by invitation and volunteer attend-
ance. Rather, they would do it by threat and coercion. This threat,
this cold war in which we find ourselves, has been with us for a long
time and it appears likely to continue indefinitely. We tend, as pri-
vate citizens, to ignore the threat. Only when we have a crisis such
as that created over Cuba last fall, or over Berlin the year before,
do the majority of our citizens become concerned. Then is action
demanded to prepare our defense, but unfortunately as the threat
diminishes we conveniently forget the danger and rationalize our
lack of preparedness.

It is dangerous for us to continue to follow the trend which I have
just outlined. The attack may never come, but if it does, and we are
not prepared for it, chaos will result. Hundreds of thousands of
lives will unnecessarily be lost. We must accept the possibility of
its coming, tomorrow, next week, next month, next year or a number
of years from now. I do not believe in crash programs; neither do I
think it wise to put off continually that which must be done because
of the unpleasantness of it. I reject with the strongest words and
feelings at my command those who oppose a strong national defense
and a strong civil defense. Those who believe in "peace at any
price, " or who preach that it is better to be "red than dead, " are play-
ing into the hands of the enemy. They are endangering our national
security. I will have none of them, and I am certain neither will you.
America was not made strong by the faint-hearted.

Nearly two years ago, I convened in Annapolis the first Governor's

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