of Governor Herbert R. O'Conor 661

that this war is properly financed; and we will do without, and like it, whenever
our Washington authorities lay down new regulations to further the war effort.
We recognize fully that this is our war, as no other war has ever been,
because it threatens not only our lives and possessions, but because it would
destroy that Democracy which is the very basis of all the good things America
has meant for us.

Further, it is realized all too well that if the unbelievable should happen,
and America should meet defeat, not only we, but the whole world, would go
down into the depth of slavery.

Could this really happen? Could Pearl Harbor happen? Could Singapore
and Hong Kong fall? Could we lose Java and the Philippines? You know the
answer only too well. And you know, too, that the worst could happen. We
can, we will, lose this war, unless you and I and all the millions of other Amer-
icans pledge ourselves anew to work and save and endure without limit until
the job is done.

When American ships are sunk, and American lives lost, just off our Mary-
land shore; when bodies of American seamen, machine-gunned in open boats,
are washed up on the shores of our State, then, indeed, the war is being brought
home to us. Then, indeed, we in Maryland, despite the extraordinary contribu-
tion made already to the war effort, become firmly convinced that what we
have done isn't nearly enough. We become convinced that nothing that we
could ever do would satisfy us in our determination to crush the soul-destroying
doctrines of Axis slavery.

For we know that, but for our efforts, these fatal doctrines will surely be
foisted upon the entire world.

And that would mean upon America too. That would mean an America
beaten down in abject slavery, just as France and Poland were beaten down.
That would mean German and Japanese war-lords regulating our every act,
shooting our people for non-compliance; feasting on American abundance, while
American people starved. That is why nothing less than smashing victory can
ever satisfy us. That's why we must double and triple our efforts, and never
cease, until our Axis foes are beaten to the ground, and their military leader-
ship destroyed.

Freedom must rule again, for us and for the entire world—for generations
as yet unborn. And in this gallant fight, America is privileged to lead the way.
We shall not fail.