of Governor Herbert R. O'Conor 229

organization of the State Industrial Accident Commission for the benefit of
injured employees; in the field of parole and probation so that the reclamation
and rehabilitation of a goodly number of persons can be effected.

I would, also, be of interest to you, I think, to be informed of the details
of the State's handling of the mentally ill and the handicapped and infirm
who, through no fault of their own, have become public charges. I should like,
also, to discuss in detail the functioning and the possibilities of the Legislative
Council, a recently created agency of our General Assembly, which is function-
ing regularly in the study of proposed legislation. The work of this Council
should result not only in the improvement of the quality of legislation but
should result in elimination of considerable unnecessary work in the Legis-
lature and, particularly, in the elimination of the last minute jams which are
a reflection upon present-day lawmaking. But possibly more of this for
another day.

I have mentioned the necessity for efficient state governments because it
is a most fortunate circumstance that, under our form of government so
wisely conceived by the founding fathers, independent sovereign governments
have been established in 48 states as well as in the central government. These
48 separate and sovereign governments were" designed to operate and should
continue to operate, independently of the National Government. You may
not have thought of it but it is reassuring to think that if any invader under-
took to crush any one of these 48 governments, there would still remain 47
well-established governments still functioning. No Blitzkrieg could at one
swoop wipe out these 48 sovereign state units which, while cooperating whole-
heartedly and patriotically for the national good, are yet sovereign and
separate entities.

We discuss the theories of government, as well as the results from the
practical application of theories for sound reasons. Defenders Day means
more than physical preparedness against brute assault. There are other
threats to our ramparts than bombs and high explosives. Some of these we
have been wanted against so repeatedly in the last year that we can hardly
be caught off guard. No American worthy of the name will lend himself to the
subversive forces that call themselves by un-American names or even those
which thinly disguise their purpose. It seems, however, that patriotic excite-
ment might take such of intolerance that will hurt the very thing it means to
defend. For example, this is an election year. Feelings run high. There are
controversial issues which have transgressed party lines.

We are not defending America when we castigate and malign our political
opponents. It is not true that every isolationist is an ally of Hitler; nor that
a proponent of total preparedness is a war monger. These things are said
sometimes in excitement but they are better left unsaid. Certainly it would
be better if they not be believed.

Finally, let us remember that Defenders Day was consecrated by a spirit
as well as by men. It was the intention in 1814 that America should keep
her liberties at home and her honor before the world. For these things we
fought a war. For these things we would fight again. It is not true that
we are going to war but it would be foolish to deny that the war may come to
us. Once again the American people, the Maryland people, may have to be
defenders. If so, these are the things we shall be called on to defend—our