706 State Papers and Addresses

here to establish a land wherein they could live their own lives as free men* In
all the years since the Declaration of Independence resounded 'round the world, '
Americans have known the soul-satisfying fruits of true freedom. When
threatened, they have fought for and preserved these freedoms, and they will
resist to the last man the Axis attempts to deprive them of their right to con-
tinue to live as free men.

American men have come forward by the thousands to be inducted today in
the Navy, not at a dictator's command, but because they love America and all
it stands for, because they value the freedoms that are their American heritage
above all the other things of life. They are crowding forward to fight for some-
thing that is, to them, priceless, and they are clothed with a valor and a pur-
pose that will admit no outcome except final and complete Victory.

Maryland is proud and happy to contribute more of its sons today, to add
to the thousands who already have kept her name at the head of the list of the
States in the matter of naval volunteers. In all the wars since Baltimore first
sent out its privateers to battle for American rights on the seas, Marylanders
have followed the sea. They have given to the Navy some of its most illustrious
warriors. Today, with just pride, we see further numbers of our young men
answering the call the Service in the traditional Maryland way. Well has it
been said that "Maryland means Navy"—as today's induction once more makes
clear!

To them, and to all the young Americans who are being inducted today,
I bring the best wishes of the people of Maryland. May their objective, final
Victory, be achieved speedily, and may they all be spared to come back to us,
strengtened in health and stauncher in their Americanism by reason of their
services in the cause of Country and humanity. We bid them all "God speed!"

What more auspicious occasion or background could be found for such an
outpouring of patriotic fervor than these Flag Dedication Exercises that serve
to usher in National Flag Week!

The flag we venerate represents something more than armies and navies,
and wars and victories. It represents a mighty and yet peaceful people. It
is the same insignia of a great freedom-loving Republic—a land of free men,
which nurses no dream of aggression or conquest.

Whenever these colors are lifted they signify a concept of nationality, and
an ideal of Democracy and self-government, that are distinctly American. These
colors are emblematic of the making of America—of the moving, thrilling story
of struggle and hardship and suffering in humbler beginnings—of healthful
growth, and, now, of mature and hardened strength. They represent the in-
dustry and enterprise of pioneers who mastered the wilderness and conquered
the plains and deserts. They represent the inventive genius, the toiling labor
the business leadership which have developed an industrial structure that com-
mands the admiration of the modern world. They represent the educational
and cultural and spiritual forces that have ennobled and uplifted the life of
this mighty people.