of Governor Herbert R. O'Conor 61

fluence that, in the aggregate, adds up to a tremendous power. It would be
eminently desirable, I should think, in this period of dire uncertainties, if it
were possible for Rotarians of many nationalities to gather around discussion
tables in the disturbed sectors of the world, and to talk over quietly among
themselves the worthiness of national aspirations as judged by Rotary's ob-
jectives. The resultant public opinion, I feel certain, representing as it would
the sentiments of leaders of thought in the various countries represented,
would throw so much weight in the scales of Justice and Peace, as opposed
to ruthless conquest, that even selfish interests might well hesitate to fly in
the face of such opinion. Under such a leavening influence, the affairs of this
troubled world* might become possible of peaceful adjustment where now such
peaceful adjustment appears unlikely in the extreme.

Certainly, here in our own Country, with the "Jingoists" fanning the flame
of discontent for their own purposes, and with unthinking and misguided
people by the thousands throughout America slowly being led to the conclusion
that America must take sides, should war break out again in Europe, it is
encumbent upon you, if you would be in fact the leaders in thought your
selective membership intended you should be, to live up to, and to spread, the
ideals that have brought Rotary to its present high estate throughout the
world, and particularly here in this country.

The world today needs the ideals of Rotary, and its influence for good
will and international peace as it never has before at any time in Rotary's
existence. Organizations such as yours may well play a powerful, even a
deciding, part in the moulding of public opinion throughout the world in the
interests of peace and international understanding. Certainly this is a goal
worthy of your unremitting efforts.

It would seem to me particularly appropriate, speaking to an organization
whose fundamental objectives recognize the importance of mutual cooperation;
and in the presence of representatives of two of Maryland's neighboring States,
to touch upon a matter of national interest that is at the same time a matter of
particular moment to each and every individual state in the Union. That is the
subject of mutual cooperation among the various States, towards the solution
of their own particular problems, without—and I cannot emphasize this point
too strongly—WITHOUT the necessity of Federal intervention or even of
Federal assistance.

One of the complaints that has been voiced frequently, and with reason,
during recent years by thoughtful men in various sections, and that will be
heard more and more frequently, in years to come, I am afraid, unless we
State officials do something to remove the prime causes, is that the National
Government is intervening too much in the affairs of the States, and taking
over to itself certain functions of government that it was never intended the
States would relinquish.

Unfortunately, this is one of those insidious things that requires constant
vigilance if we are to avoid it. Only too frequently our State consciousness is
lulled to sleep by the offer of a Federal grant to do certain things, and we
accept the offer gladly, congratulating ourselves that we have been wide awake
enough to secure this gratuitous assistance while possibly some of our other
States have neglected to seize similar opportunities. All too frequently, how-
ever, we wake up later on to find that, in accepting the Federal help, we have