396 State Papers and Addresses

"I AM AN AMERICAN DAY" MEETING

Baltimore Stadium, May 20, 1941

Baltimore

THIS Country of ours, conceived by our gallant forebears, many of whom
had felt to the fullest the heavy hand of oppression, is the grandest con-
ception of government ever known to man. Through it, oppressed humanity
was restored to self-respect; under it, man for the first time enjoyed the rights
to which he was by his very nature, entitled. For more than one hundred and
fifty years the American system of free enterprise, under which everyone was
encouraged to work out his individual destiny as he preferred, spurred our fore-
fathers on to make this what it is today, a nation without parallel in the history
of the universe.

Just to look about us this evening, and to realize what America has given
to all of us here present, is to be confirmed for ever in the realization that
American citizenship, under our present form of Government, is the most
valuable civic possession obtainable in the world today.

I believe, and every person here believes with me, I am sure, that to per-
mit American ideals of government to be laid aside would be an everlasting
blot upon the conscience of every American. The American system with its
recognition of the individual as the sole cause of government is the truest
realization of an ideal of government that exists in the world today. It is
little wonder our forefathers found it such an inspiration, it is little wonder
that throughout all the years Americans were ever ready to give their all to
defend it. Surely today with conditions as they are throughout the world we
should be poor Americans indeed, if we did not measure up to the high stand-
ards of national conduct set -by those who preceded •us. It is a wonderful
thing to be so privileged in a national sense as we are. It must not be forgot-
ten, however, that every privilege enjoyed entails corresponding response. We
have enjoyed our privileges to the fullest; now we must not shirk our responsi-
bilities.

Today in face of the dangers that threaten our Country from without, and
with full knowledge of the forces seeking to weaken us from within, I contend
that now as never before it is the duty of every American citizen to give deep
and solemn thought to the liberties he enjoys, and to the responsibilities his
American citizenship entails.

There is immensely more to being an American than mere acceptance of
the gifts that America showers upon us so lavishly. Unless we accept along
with these gifts our responsibilities, we are poor Americans, indeed, unworthy
to retain the prize that was won for us at so great a cost

To every newly-naturalized American, to every young man and woman
who has come to maturity during the past year, I throw down the gauge of
true Americanism. You cannot accept your Country's gifts without shoulder-