of Governor Herbert R. O'Conor 376

No need to talk to a group of experienced fire-fighters about fighting fire.
I will say to you, though, that there's no better way to fight irreligion than—
with religion, lived honestly, and humbly and steadfastly; there's no better
way to fight and thwart subversive teachings, than to spread constantly an ap-
preciation of and love for those glorious principles of freedom and individual
liberty for which our forefathers worked and died, and in defense of which
every thinking American again will be ready, should the call come to surrender
everything, even life itself, before yielding. For those who would deprive us
of them, would thereby enslave us, mentally and physically, to that unreason-
ing form of government which they have come to venerate as "The State. "

Truly, these are troubled times, times that call for, and will demand the
best that is in us if we are to come out of them successfully, still preserving
and cherishing the liberties and. privileges we now enjoy. In such times it
is a fortunate thing, indeed, for our Nation that there are, through the length
and breadth of our Country, organizations like yours, around whom the people
of our Country can rally, upon whom they" may depend, from whom they can
draw the inspiration and the will-to-do that will toe so essential in any crisis
that may ensue.

Thank God, too, as we prepare to stand shoulder to shoulder against any
assaults that may come that the seed of personal and religious freedom, of
complete freedom, of complete toleration, first planted on the shores of St.
Mary's County in Maryland on Annunciation Day three hundred and seven years
ago, still flourishes. Nurtured and cherished by men such as you, may it be
brought to even greater fruition, so that every true American in this land may
be renewed in his devotion to the one Country in the world that has been Free-
dom's rallying ground. In this rededication to the principles of complete free-
dom, in this rebirth of religious appreciation, we can find new strength for any
travail that may come.

I close with congratulation and commendation to you. Rather I should
congratulate the City and State which is fortunate in having you. As men,
virile, red-blooded American citizens, your quality and courage stamp you as
thoroughbreds. " This reminds me of the couplet of the little poem, which should
give you promise of a better day hereafter. It simply states:
"We come in this world all naked and bare,
We go through this world 'mid sorrow and care,
We die—we go to God knows only where,
But if you're a thoroughbred here, you're a thoroughbred there. "