The plaque which we are about to unveil here emphasizes that theme,
it is entitled "Maryland Remembers. " It states that in commemorating
this centennial of the great struggle that temporarily divided our nation,
no effort was made to assess blame, to decide who was right and who
was wrong, to make a decision on the issues in controversy. On the
contrary, we sought to commemorate the important events of the war
in Maryland, and in so doing, to pay homage to the brave men who
fought and died and to the citizens who suffered in a war in which
people tried to do their duty as they saw it.

In dedicating this plaque, it is my hope and my prayer that all who
see it will be reminded that a war that caused so much suffering
and so much despair was not fought in vain. For out of the struggle
we gained a strength and unity that has made us the greatest nation
on the face of this earth.

ADDRESS, RATIFICATION DAY
ANNAPOLIS

January 14, 1965

I am delighted to once again have the opportunity of welcoming
to our State capitol so many of Maryland's distinguished citizens and I
always look forward to participating with you in the ceremonies marking
the anniversary of the signing of the ratification of the Treaty of Paris.
To my mind, it was one of the most significant events in the history
of our State and nation.

The event that we commemorate today is one of a series of historic
actions that took place in the Old Senate Chamber of the State House
of Maryland. This now famous room acquired its claim to the reverence
of every American 181 years ago. It was the scene then of the establish-
ment of our country's first peace. The year was 1784 and the United

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