114 Stats Papers and Addresses

Fortunately, this is not an invasion of the military forces of an enemy
country, but rather a friendly penetration of the "second line of defense" of our
own United States of America.

This annual convention of the National Guard of the various States of the
Union is always an important gathering; however, it becomes of the very
highest significance this year because of what is transpiring across the ocean
in Europe with the attendant dangers to the interests of our own people. It
is a recognized fact that the American people are a peace-loving people. It
is characteristic of democracies that their people are not militaristic. Conse-
quently, without universal compulsory military service, it is absolutely impera-
tive that the United States have a military organization such as the National
Guard to rely upon in times of danger and emergency.

To the everlasting credit of the National Guard, it can be truthfully stated
that its members have patriotically served their Country whenever duty called
them to the colors. The officers of this "second line of defense" by reason of
their painstaking training, which they have cheerfully accepted, have brought
themselves to such a high point of efficiency that whenever an emergency has
been presented, it was they who assumed the most important positions in the
cause of their Country and have acquitted themselves creditably.

Constituting a sizeable army in themselves, the various Guard Units are
so constituted as to be capable of rapid expansion and are so organized as to
handle the military training of many thousands of men who otherwise could
not be assimilated speedily into the existing armed forces.

Maryland extends a welcoming hand to you today and expresses the
sincere hope that during your sojourn with our people you may derive as
much pleasure as our citizens will experience in receiving you. You may be
assured that keen appreciation of the important part you are playing is felt
by every well-informed citizen.

The interests of our Nation are safe just as long as patriotic zeal and
unselfish devotion to Country are manifested by such able and dependable
groups of men as constitute the National Guard of the United States.

COMMUNITY FUND ADDRESS

Radio Station WBAL, October 30, 1939
Baltimore

SINCE the advent of the radio, we have heard many references to an "unseen
audience. " Tonight, as you gather here to give evidence once more of
Baltimore's oft-proven spirit of humanity, let me remind you that, entirely
apart from those who may be listening to our discussions, we have an "unseen
audience" that is waiting with breathless anxiety for the outcome of this and
other Community Fund meetings that are to follow.

Our unseen audience is a scattered one, but it is unified in one thing—it
is looking as a unit to this assemblage to prove, as Baltimore so often has
proven before, that the claims of the poor, and the halt and blind are claims
that will never be overlooked, and never spurned. This unseen audience com-
prises the helpless infants in our foundling asylums, the crippled children in our