men whether they live in one of the three counties of Delaware, one
of the nine counties of Maryland or one of the two counties of Virginia
on this peninsula.

For me, coming to Dover is much like coming home. I recall with
deep pleasure the days I spent in school here, along with the many
other pleasant connections I have in this beautiful capital city of
your State. I would remind you, too, that just as I received a part of
my formal schooling here, your distinguished Governor was educated
in Maryland. Although, as I know, his allegiance and deepest affection
lie with Delaware, his ties with Maryland are so close that I regard
him as virtually a constituent of mine. I hope, yes, I believe, he con-
siders me in the same light.

Another strong bond uniting those of us who have gathered here
this evening is our affiliation with a great political party and our
adherence to the philosophies and principles of that party. We are
Democrats, proud of the great achievements of our Party, mindful
always of the tasks it is bearing and zealous in our determination
that its role of the future will be no less glorious than its record of
the past. Next year, the people of Delaware and Maryland will join
with Americans in the other 48 states to select a President of the
United States. With international relations hanging in delicate balance
as a result of the conflict between the free world and international
communism, and with the plaguing problems we have at home as a
result of changing economic and social conditions, the year 1964
may well be one of the most significant years in the history of our
republic. We Democrats believe that our Party, historically the party
of crisis, has demonstrated its capacity to lead this country through
the perils of our modern age, and we, of course, will do our utmost to
support our great President and the programs and policies he has
formulated to safeguard our nation and preserve our freedom, and
to preserve our very way of life.

Our task as Democrats will not be an easy one. Already we hear
the rumblings of the gathering storm. Republicans, you may be sure,
will use all the weapons of their vast arsenal to defeat us — weapons
which will include their financial resources, talent, political skill,
cunning. The lines of battle are being drawn. The plan of assault
becomes more apparent with every passing day.

President Kennedy's plan to shore up our economy and provide
a more abundant life for all Americans — through tax reductions,
public works and other measures — is being attacked from all sides
by the Republican opposition. His efforts in our foreign relations

130