222 State Papers and Addresses

he gave allegiance are proud to point to his advocacy of policies and principles
which are the essentials of ordered government. I close with an attempt to
emphasize that Maryland honors itself in paying tribute to the memory of one
whose nobility of purpose and superiority of achievement merited first place
among our people. This generation and future generations can do no better than
to perpetuate the memory of Maryland's distinguished Governor, Albert C.
Ritchie.

PRESIDENTAL CAMPAIGN*
DEMOCRATIC MASS MEETING

Lyric Theatre, September 10, 1940
Baltimore

TONIGHT the democracy of Maryland takes up with confidence the task of
insuring the continuance of the splendid social and economic progress that
has marked the past eight years of our Nation's existence. As loyal Americans
first and loyal Democrats second, we may be certain that members of our
Party in Maryland will cooperate in seeking to preserve for the Country and,
also, for the State, the benefits accruing to us during the Democratic adminis-
trations since 1932.

This is no ordinary election. These are not ordinary times. With govern-
ments of the old world tottering and with ruthless invasions a daily occurrence,
the American people will think first of our Country's welfare. In a time of
world peril they will prefer to have experience and proven judgment in the
Presidential chair and in the Congress, because the continuance of our form of
government is more important than the ambitions of the opposition party to
effect a return to power. With utter chaos threatened to many nations abroad
as a result of wars now raging and with internal problems of unemployment and
social adjustment within our own Country, the President and the members of
Congress to be elected in November will be called upon to guide our Country
through as troublous a period as the world has ever known.

Fortunately, at a time of world crisis, the United States now has a Presi-
dent who is a match for any ruler in the world. The Commander in Chief of
our Army and Navy does not know what it is to yield to any foreign power.
His handling of international affairs stamps him as the equal, yea, I say su-
perior, in statecraft and diplomacy, of all the leaders of government in the
World. It is plain common sense, but infinitely more important, it is for the
selfish interest of Americans who want to repel any danger to American insti-
tutions, to continue in office the man who has demonstrated his ability. They
can do that and they will do it by the re-election in November of President
Franklin D. Roosevelt.

* Governor O'Conor also read the speech of Hon. Wm. B. Bankhead, Speaker of the House
when Mr. Bankhead was fatally stricken that same evening at a local hotel. Governor O'Conor
received a telegram of personal commendation for his excellent rendition of the Bankhead speech
by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The speech, through Governor O'Conor, was nationally broad-
cast over more than eighty stations.