Such, then, is a brief account of the heroic role our great State
played in the war which gave birth to this nation. It is appropriate
on this occasion, I think, that we pause and reflect upon the manly
deeds of the heroes of that war. You here who are members of this
Post of the American Legion—you who have fought in global wars to
secure and safeguard the freedoms gained in this the first war of our
Republic—are the spiritual descendants of the heroes of Long Island,
Camden, Cowpens, King's Mountain, Guilford Court House, Eutaw
Springs and Yorktown. We rejoice that we are able to come here today
to this shrine of liberty—to Smallwood's Retreat—as free men of the
greatest nation on earth. And we are conscious that for this freedom
we are indebted to gallant men who fought the battles of the United
States of America in the War of Independence, the War of 1812, the
War between the States and in the two World Wars of this country.
And as we fervently pray for peace, in a world rife with turmoil, let us
remember these words from the song, "Hail, Columbia. "

"Let independence be our boast,
Ever mindful what is cost;
Ever grateful for the prize,
Let its altar reach the skies. "

ADDRESS, RATIFICATION DAY

ANNAPOLIS
January 14, 1964

I welcome you here to the Maryland State House today with sincere
pleasure and very deep personal satisfaction. This satisfaction stems
from the fact that of all of the governors of the 50 states, I am the
only one who is able to perform his official functions in a state capitol

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