of Governor Herbert R. O'Conor 85

Shortly after the war, possibly before some of you men of the American Le-
gion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars were out of uniform, there was published
a poem, written by a Canadian, Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, who had
witnessed the full effects of the war's desolation. His little poem found an
echo in the hearts of countless thousands the world over. You remember it,
I am sure. It began:

"In Flanders' Field the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row. "

It was an appeal from those who had died to those who survived, to "Carry
On, " to "Take the Torch and hold it high, " and ended1 with this never-to-be-
forgotten challenge:

"If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep. "

The people of America, did NOT break faith with those who died, but
carried the war through to a glorious conclusion. To what end? Was it to
the very end that everyone had tried so desperately to avoid ? Instead of end-
ing all wars, as was hoped, the World War would be turned by some dictators
into merely a prelude to a new and greater world conflict that, if and when it
does materialize, many believe, may well mark the beginning of the decline
of civilization, as known to us.

Those dead who sleep in Flanders' Field, these two heroic lads whose mem-
ory we honor this evening, —shall our people break faith with them? What do
they expect from their fellow-countrymen in the face of present day conditions ?
Those thousands of gallant American mothers who still mourn their fallen
sons, what do they expect in this hour of uncertainty? They gave freely of
their Youth, their most valued possession, twenty years ago, they made noble
sacrifices and "did without" gladly and without a murmur, in the hope that
something vast was being accomplished for all humanity, something that never
would have to be done again.

Now, with another and more dreadful catastrophe threatened, let our people
reflect seriously on what America's attitude is to be. We must not allow
ourselves to be carried into the maelstrom by selfish, mischievous propaganda,
or by any false conceptions of humanitarianism. With the memory of 1917
and 1918 still fresh in mind, America's eyes are open. Let us keep them so.
Let us thoughtfully and without heat examine the world situation and deter-
mine where America's interest lie. Never, under any circumstances must we
let ourselves in for another slaughter of our nation's manhood, unless it be
the well-considered decision of our reasoning leaders that no other course can
be followed with National honor and self respect.

AMERICANISM WEEK, AMERICAN LEGION

August 18, 1939
Cumberland

THE people of Cumberland and Allegany County, during the past week, have
set a laudable example for your fellow Marylanders to follow. You have
taken advantage of this middle season to give community emphasis to the