of Governor Herbert R. O'Conor 63

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tion for the rights of the other parties concerned. As a State, we probably
could not secure admission to Rotary, but I am sure you will have no objection
to our borrowing of your ideals for use in such cases as these.

One final thought might be expressed as worthy of your consideration.
It seems particularly appropriate to make mention here at Gettysburg that
ours is a government "of the people, for the people and by the people. " That
carries with it a responsibility to the citizen that he take an interest in his
government. Public affairs will be conducted just as efficiently and just as
conscientiously as the people demand. If you participate in the functioning of
government, even by counsel and advice, you are helping to make your govern-
ment "of the people. "

When, in this day, democracies are being put to the acid test, it is im-
perative that representative business and professional men unselfishly take part
in the affairs of their governments. Sound business policies must be insisted
upon; sane and tested practices must be relied upon rather than theories; ex-
perience, intelligence and patriotism must be maintained as our foundation
stones, as we reassert in the words first heard at Gettysburg that this govern-
ment "shall not perish from the earth!"

DEDICATION OF DENTON ARMORY

May 30, 1939
Denton, Maryland

MANY reasons combine to cause me much satisfaction and pleasure in
participating in these dedicatory exercises. This armory and the
splendid body of men it will accomodate, for years to come, are valued ad-
ditions to the personnel and physical equipment of our State's forces. As your
Governor, I say with justifiable pride, that Maryland is proud to include in
her military system this very modern armory and the civic-minded citizens
for whom it was constructed.

In gathering here today, to add a new link to our State's military chain,
we are not indifferent to what is transpiring in other parts of the world.
Everywhere, as we learn daily, nations are working feverishly to strengthen
their armed might, and to build up their military equipment according to the
latest modern standards. Hardly a day passes but that there are reported
new appropriations, new legislation by our representatives' in Washington,
looking towards the betterment of our navy, our air forces or some phase of
military prepardeness.

Assembled here as we are today, in quiet and peace, without any of the
feverish urge that prompts the activities of practically every country in Europe,
it may be a little difficult for some to realize fully the seriousness of conditions
in the world today. It is incumbent upon us, nevertheless, if we would be
spared the fate that has overtaken other nations, that once also considered
themselves safe, to give more than a passing thought to the significance of
what we are doing here today, and of its relation to what is happening through-
out the rest of the world. These dedicatory exercises held during a period