of Governor Herbert R. O'Conor 605

Not, only, therefore, must we resist the outrage now aimed at us. We
must go further and destroy, for all time, the doctrine of dictatorship that
would inflict slavery upon all other nations.

We must establish, for all time, the principle that Government can be,
should be, human and decent and moral, and that the liberty of the individual
must be made secure. The world must once again be made free in thought and
in opportunity.

To America has been given the high objective of adding the final weight
of might to the balance scale on the side of humanity. Ours is a great re-
sponsibility one whose effects will be felt down through the ages. We must not
—we cannot fail!

Does Hitler finally realize what the aroused might of America portends
for his unholy ambitions? Apparently he does! It is notable that in his
characteristically intemperate address to the German people two days ago, he
failed, for the first time, to set a definite date for his elusive hour of final
victory. Oft-promised, and as often postponed, it now must seem remote, in-
deed, even to his disordered mind.

We are a peace-loving people. We are locked in a grim struggle not of
our own choosing or desire. We are fighting ruthless enemies who know no
justice or compassion. One need not be an expert judge of human emotions to
know that the people of America will fight this war with every resource at our
command, and with a deathless resolve that victory shall be ours.

Where once there was questioning and doubt amongst us, Pearl Harbor
ha e forged our people into complete National unity. Our -possessions have
been treacherously attacked, our citizens have been killed without mercy. The
only thing that remains now is to answer the enemy in the only way he can
understand. He must be, and he will be, beaten to his knees, smashed to the
ground. That system of Government that could provoke such treachery must
be stamped out in a world of free, God-fearing people.

I have no doubt that the Axis leaders, unable to understand the temper
of cur people, felt that we were too divided ever to join in unity in such a great
endeavor as that in which we are now engaged. They know now, only too well,
that America, instead of being stunned into submission by their treachery, has
instead been inspired into a National unity and coherence that knows no stop-
ping. We are in this war, not only every citizen of Maryland, but every citizen
of every State and of all island possessions, shoulder to shoulder.

We are slow to fight, just as we were slow to realize the treachery of those
now assailing us. Endowed as we are, however, with the unlimited resources
at our command, and fired as we are with the determination that aggression
must be crushed if we or our children are ever to know security, there remains
but one thing for us to do. Not discussion. Not debate over what has gone
before and what may have not been done. No! Action! Action is the need now!

We must literally take off our coats and roll up our sleeves, we must get
to work with a determination such as has never gripped any previous genera-
tion of Americans. We must realize, and accept the fact, that adjustments