48 State Papers and Addresses

the God-given principles of freedom of thought and of action, —there is ram-
pant in th world today the very same hostility to individual security and to
personal rights that drove these free Colonists of early Maryland to flee their
native land. If there is one worth-while thought that may well be taken to
heart today from a consideration of the achievements of these Colonists of
early Maryland, and more particularly from a study of the motives that im-
pelled them, it is the fundamental principle outlined so clearly in the Constitu-
tion of these United States—namely, that Government is made for man and
not man for Government—that the only justifiable reason for the existence of
Government is to put into effect the reasoned wishes of the governed. We of
America, among all the peoples of the world—and especially we of Maryland,
among all the people of America, — must treasure these principles of Demo-
cratic government, must be willing to sacrifice all rather than yield one iota
of them. For it was here in America, and more particularly, here in our own
beloved State of Maryland, that these glorious principles first were given to
all the world, for all peoples and all classes and all conciences.

Certainly no one would argue that theirs was an easy lot, as they stood
that day on the shores of the Potomac, but the dangers that faced them were
literally as nothing compared to the greater, more insidious, dangers that today
threaten the very fabric of the Government towards the creation of which they
labored so unceasingly. Theirs were dangers that could be readily seen, and
measured, and overcome by honest men working together for the common good.
The dangers that lurk all about us today are greater because they cannot
readily be detected. So cunning are their proponents, so cleverly do they
disguise the subversive purposes towards which they are working, that they
are able to deceive even the most well-intentioned at times; they can, and they
have, under the guise of patriotism and the common good, been able to win
over to their unworthy ends not only unthinking individuals, but even whole
organizations, under the perverted plea that they are all working for the
common good.

When strong nations can ruthlessly seize weaker nations, and deny even
the fundamental civic rights to minorities within their borders—when the
rights of whole peoples can be destroyed overnight with impunity—when on
all sides the totalitarian doctrine that "Might is Right" begins to be the sole
guiding principle, then, indeed, it is time for us in this land of free institutions
to be on the alert to preserve and safeguard our hard-won privileges. Further
we should lend our moral assistance in any and every direction where it may
serve to help stem the ever-rising tide of antagonism to all those things, that
we as Americans, and as rightful descendants of those hardy Maryland pioneers,
rightfully hold sacred.

It afforded me the greatest pleasure to initiate the proposal, which was
adopted by the General Assembly a few days ago, combining the centenary
of the birth of James Ryder Randall with this year's celebration of Maryland
Day. This loyal son of our State, who was born just one hundred years ago,
aptly described the ideals and principles which characterize Maryland. His lines

"For life and death, for woe and weal,
Thy peerless chivalry reveal,
Thou wilt not cower in the dust,
Thy beaming sword shall never rust, "