238 State Papers and Addresses

threatens, Democracy in America will be able to survive unimpaired only so
long as we are prepared adequately, spiritually as well as economically, to help
. it to survive.

In the philosophy of these new masters, there is no rule except the rule
of force. The salvation of Democracy, therefore, demands the meeting of force
with force—hence our defense program.

In the face of such an appalling possible disaster to all that we know, love,
and hold most dear, it becomes the instant bounden duty of men and women
throughout our land to devote their best thoughts, their most unselfish motives
and action unstintedly for unity and the common good.

In such circumstances the contribution made will necessarily vary accord-
ing to position, opportunity and ability. Because of that fact, let me suggest
that more will be expected of the members of your Federation than will be
expected of some other portions of the community. Your station in life, your
educational qualifications, your position of leadership in your community, place
that additional obligation upon you.

The contribution required of the women of Maryland, and of the nation, in
this time of crisis, must be spiritual, rather than material. You will not be
called upon to do man's work—to be soldiers, to till the field, or to run the
machines in the factories as is the case in some of the dictator-ruled countries.
But you will be called upon to help build up the spiritual and moral forces of
our people; the will to give, and to endure; unity of national thought. You can
be of the utmost assistance in the development of a full realization of the
danger, now facing our Country; you can fan an intensive blaze of patriotism;
with your help, America can steel herself to an unselfish determination to wage
the fight to the bitter end, rather than yield even one of those priceless rights
that are our heritage as citizens of America.

One of the most gratifying aspects of the intensive planning now under
way to insure the effective administration of the Selective Training and Service
Act, is the whole-hearted willingness of the women of our State, to give of
their time and efforts, in any capacity which may be required. On October 16.
in the various registration places of our State, women will serve as registrars
in many, many instances. In fact, we would have had no trouble, I believe, in
manning the registration places completely with women, if it had been found
desirable to do so. *

No one among us would be rash enough to predict what the outcome of the
present titanic struggles in Europe and Asia will be, or what effects that out-
come will have upon our Country and upon us, its inhabitants. In the un-
certainty that engulfs us, however, the business and professional women of
America must share with the leaders of our Nation a serious obligation, and,
as leaders of their sex, must fully realize this obligation, and live up to it.

Fighting a war in the field is one thing, but it is not everything. Almost
as important as the actual fighting, is the "backing up" our forces would re-
quire from the men—and particularly from the women—that were left at home.
Morale is a word we heard frequently during the World War of 1917-18. We
will have need to hear much of it again, if we are unfortunate enough to be in-
volved completely in the wars now waging all around us. The most important
element in building and maintaining morale are the women of the Nation. Come
what will, I have every confidence that the women of America, led and inspired