of Governor Herbert R. O'Conor 609

Liberty Or Give Me Death"—"Millions For Defense, Not One Cent For Tribute. "

It is to be hoped sincerely, however, that we today will not be satisfied
with the words themselves, eloquent with meaning though they be. It is de-
manded of us all we recognize in our National idenity, to know the full signifi-
cance of that text and to face the responsibilities that it implies. Let us
consider this significance and these responsibilities.

"Remember Pearl Harbor"—Yes, remember that the bombs and the car-
nage of that dreadful day were expressions of hatred and envy. They were
the stored-up wrath of jealousy and long-plotted vengeance. Why this hatred?
Why this envy? Well, because the United States, by its very nature and heri-
tage, stands as a rebuke and a hindrance to tyranny or injustice, be it half way
round the world from us. Because we are to aggressor nations what a re-
spectable, hard-working, self-respecting citizen is to a gangster; because we are
to the freedom-loving peoples of the earth what the rainbow was to Noah—a
symbol of good will, of understanding, of a covenant between mankind and his
hope of goodness and mercy.

Hatred—yes. We can no longer delude ourselves into thinking that the
attitude of tyranny towards us is anything else. Envy—yes. Because in the
final analysis, America with its free and benevolent institutions, has achieved
by humane methods far more than even our enemies hope to achieve by force.
It is an axiom of psychiatry that a warped mind, a criminal intellect, never
learns such lessons. The Axis powers know only force and deceit as methods of
accomplishment, and their insane wrath has been demonstrated on every conti-
nent except those of North and South America.

So we Remember Pearl Harbor with that lesson, I hope. That the wrath of
the aggressor has twisted his reason that he struck with one treacherous hand
while the other was holding out offer of peace. Pearl Harbor means, of course,
that we cannot trust these people. They are cunning—they are unprincipled.
How much does it behoove us then to be alert against another surprise attack?
How deeply has that attack burned into our minds the determination that we
shall never be caught napping again.

"Again"—I say, and there can be no one within sound of my voice who
will take issue there. For it is right—it is necessary—to admit in all frankness
that American forces were caught off guard. It was the old feeling of "It Can't
Happen Here" that was the cause of the trouble out there in the Pacific. Are
we alarmists to say that "It Might Happen Here?" Yes, here on the Atlantic
Coast. Even here in Maryland. Unless Pearl Harbor taught us that, then it
was an expensive lesson and a worthless one. -

There is only one way to be certain that it won't happen. That way is to
be ready for anything. Not because we are afraid of anything that the enemy
might bring against us. We can take all he has to give, and we can make him
wish he hadn't tried..

But here again the ringing phrase—the eloquent slogan will not suffice.
Nor will a blind confidence in the righteousness of our cause stave off the foe.
I doubt if there is a true American in the land who does not believe from the