of Governor Herbert R. O'Conor 529

That will never happen. But we must all bestir ourselves to take every
precaution that it doesn't happen. For, while America stands, a figure of
glorious Democracy before all the World, the free spirit of conquered peoples
will never die. While the statue of liberty still sheds afar its" glow of freedom
for all the World to see, oppressors can never feel secure in their oppression.

We have been fortunate indeed to have had time to steel ourselves against
any possible onslaughts by aggressor nations. Subversive groups, self-seeking
groups among us, have sought their own selfish ends, rather than the general
good of our people. Even today, such groups are threatening to halt or hamper
the production of war materials now needed so terribly to supply our own forces
as well as to assist those other nations fighting so desperately to crush Hitler's
might.

Subversive groups can be dealt with, and will be dealt with, through the
proper agencies. Where selfish Americans, however allow themselves to be
blinded to our Country's necessities by reason of their own personal ambitions,
they too will be dealt with, and dealt with most severely, by an aroused
public opinion. ,

This is no time, and no place, for selfish refusal to cooperate in the cause
of defense. There are agencies set up to insure that the rights of every Ameri-
can working man are protected to the utmost. These agencies must be given
an opportunity to adjust industrial differences before recourse is had to strikes
or other drastic measures. Groups that disregard this fact and that place
their own interests above the interests of our Country, will feel the heavy hand
of righteous public rebuke.

No more timely message can I bring to you today therefore, in this com-
memoration of a celebrated Bohemian American patriot, than this: No matter
what the land of our origin, no matter what pressure may be brought to bear
upon us from one source or another, our duty today is to further the cause of
America in every way possible. All too clearly have you had the picture of
what it means to be weak and unprepared today. With this example in mind,
our patriotic duty is to dedicate our every energy to the safeguarding and
strengthening of the institutions of Democracy in this land that is the champion
of Democracy.