of Governor Herbert R. O'Conor 267

an American citizen, now are concerned, and very properly so, as to the future
of this magnificent Country.

Now, for the first time in our history, perhaps, many Americans realize
it is possible that the American system of government could be over-thrown,
because they have seen the dramatic over-throw of France. In what has
happened to that country they see an ominous calamity that threatens this
Country from the same misguided, militaristic sources, and millions of our
Countrymen today, for the first time in their lives, are giving consideration as
to what life would be like if we were to meet the same fate that France did.

Fortunately, however, we are doing more than worrying about our future.
We are working hard to insure that America as we know it shall never know
the degradation to which so many European countries have been subjected.
The same Almighty power that favored this Country beyond all others when
it was founded more than a century and a half ago, again has favored us by
giving us the time for preparation that we needed so badly. And in that,
I for one see an omen that democracy, so essential to the continuance of man's
free status upon this globe, will not be permitted to perish before the onslaught
of the dictators.

America, warned by the fate of other lands; awake at last to the con-
suming ambitions of the dictator-led nations; with time allowed in which to
strengthen its arms for any emergency; America, I say, is well on the road
to a preparedness that will insure for us here today, and for the one hundred
and thirty million souls within the confines of our Country and its possession,
retention of our God-given rights, and continuance of the privilege of living,
and working, and believing as we will.

I say this with due recognition of the fact that there is much to be done,
possibly many sacrifices to be made, individually, and as a Nation, before we
come to that state of desired preparedness to which all our efforts must be
directed. I say it with appreciation of the fact that there is no room for
complacence, but room only for the most diligent devotion, the most concen-
trated effort, until the desired goal of preparedness has been attained. In
other words, I feel that while we must be thoroughly concerned with the emer-
gency facing us, we must not be unduly alarmed; that while reasonably secure
in the natural geographical and industrial advantages given to us by a Bene-
volent Providence, we must not rely too definitely upon these natural advan-
tages, but must use them to the limit of our ability, and, thus, make triply
certain that no power on earth shall ever take them from us.

"In this world-struggle between the system of democracy, and the neces-
sarily irreligious leaders who are striving to subdue all countries to their
misdirected purposes, let us dedicate ourselves individually on the occasion
of this Armistice Day celebration to carrying on the glorious efforts for
democracy started by our gallant comrades of the World War of 1918. If we
do this, then Armistice Day celebrations shall not be an empty ceremony, but
rather shall be living, vibrant occasions that will help us to keep steadfastly
to our purposes of preserving to those to come after us, the blessings and
glorious traditions of democratic life and government. "