of Governor Herbert R. O'Conor 261

all the discussions have been sifted down, however, I think there are few within
hearing of my voice tonight who will question the fact that the matter claim-
ing first attention in the minds of the people of America today is simply this:

"What is going to happen to Democracy—to America, first and outstand-
ing exponent of Democracy: —during these next four years: How best can we
here in America assure the preservation of those free institutions which al-
ready have been trampled upon in France and Poland, and in all the other
conquered European countries? Which Party, in past crises, has shown an
ability to appreciate and understand the problems presented, has offered
leadership, has taken definite steps based on sound understanding of the
Nations needs, to meet changed conditions?"

Shall we be satisfied with promises from an admittedly well-meaning,
but just as admittedly inexpert candidate, or are we safer in choosing again
that proven leader and that party Party whose record of successful achieve-
ment guarantees so much more than the mere promises of the opponent? Even
tonight the magic of the radio brings to us word of incessant-fighting through-
out practically the whole of Europe: at times brings to our ears even the
crash of exploding bombs. As we send up a silent prayer of thanksgiving
that those crashing bombs are not falling on unprotected American cities,
are not killing defenseless American women and children, it is well to realize
that there have been incessant threats to our national peace and safety during
these past seven and one-half years, but that so skillfully have our affairs
been handled in Washington, we have been able to avoid becoming embroiled
in all the wars now raging throughout the world.

How long we are going to be so fortunate, no living man can say. Cer-
tainly, however, it is wise to expect that those who have kept us out of war
for seven and one-half years are the ones best suited to keep us out of war
for four years more. In the meantime, the best assurance we can have that
we will not become entangled in wars not of our seeking, is to be prepared so
thoroughly that even the most militaristic dictator nations would hesitate to
affront us seriously.

Such defense preparations now are in full swing—our manpower is being
mobilized upon the most effective basis; our airplanes, our battleships, our
fighting material of every description are being rushed to completion as fast
as geared-up industry can produce them.

Again, isn't it reasonable to expect that the administration that has
started these defense preparations, that has called to Washington outstand-
ing leaders of every phase of industry concerned, should be the Party best
equipped to push though to successful completion the defense preparations
now well underway? Here, too, with even the best intention in the*world on
the part of the Republican candidate, it is almost certain that a change in
administration in Washington, with the promised shake-up in directing per-
sonnel, would seriously impair the now well-programmed defense movement.

But international problems were not the only ones claiming the attention
of the administration during the past seven and one-half years, nor are its
accomplishments in diplomacy, in keeping us out of war, the only achieve-
ments which the present Democratic leadership and the American people
generally can contemplate with deep satisfaction.

The people of this Country do not have short memories. They know what
happened when the Republican Party was in power for 12 years. They rem-