State Papers and Addresses

THE DEMOCRATIC WOMEN'S CLUB OF HARFORD COUNTY
MEETING AT HOME OF SENATOR AND MRS. MILLARD E. TYDINGS

June 19, 1941
Havre de Grace

AT a time so critical in our Country's history, no more important considera-
tion could be discussed than the part which your organization of women
can play in the general effort for National Defense. It is not amiss to state
that under present-day circumstances every activity should be viewed from the
standpoint of its relation to the Nation's welfare.

An organization such as yours can do much toward fortifying the spirit
of America. Every well-informed person knows that the present-day world
struggle is not alone concerning material resources, land and possessions. It
is a conflict between governmental systems. The dictator-ruled system is the
antithesis of the Democratic System under which the individual enjoys liberty
and freedom.

Consequently an organization of women, the members of which are fully
aware of the priceless privileges of American citizenship, can do much to em-
phasize the great value of the American way of life. When efforts are made
by subversive groups to undermine the basic institutions of our Country, it is
imperative that substantial and well-informed citizens like yourselves keep
before the people the advantages of our free institutions.

No greater reason for the existence of any such organization could be
advanced than its possible utilization and its opportunities for rendering avail-
able promptly in any emergency the services of its many loyal and willing
members, whose first thought above and beyond all questions of party or fac-
tional interest will always be the good of our Country and of its people.

There is no need to depart from our two-party system. Our government
has weathered many storms with the two-party system functioning, and it is
desirable to have a continuation of this set-up. Constructive criticism is al-
ways to be welcomed as the best results can be achieved through the most
general discussion of pressing problems.

We of the Democratic Party have reason to be proud of its record.

One foundation stone underlying the very existence of our Party has re-
mained steadfast since the days of Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson.
The guiding star and great light of our Party has been Humanitarianism. Its
supreme objective has been the comfort, the happiness, the living of people—.
not the people as an organized entity, but as individuals—the men, women and
children who make up the community or the state. With this broad, practical
and applied humanitarianism as their vital principle, the policies of the Demo-
cratic Party have, from period to period, taken form and substance as the
contemporary requirements of the people have demanded for their protection,
relief and welfare.