of Governor Herbert R. O'Conor 737

AMERICAN LEGION ANNUAL CONVENTION BANQUET

DEPARTMENT OF MARYLAND - August 27, 1942.

Cumberland

It is only fitting in coming before a group of fighting men who, 25 years
ago, wrote the final chapter to another great war story, to say: "The Legion
was right. If America had listened to it these past 20 years; if our Country
had heeded the warnings, and the appeals, which year in and year out, Legion
National officers sounded, Japan would never have dared to perpetrate the
treachery of Pearl Harbor, America would never have been so easy a victim
of militarist ambitions".

For two decades and more, since the American Legion was born in that
first A. E. F. Caucas in France in 1919, its membership, now at an all-time peak
has preached the doctrine of National preparedness. Ever since that First
World War, when the American fighting men waited and suffered, until this
great Nation shook off its lethargy and, eventually got down in earnest to the
serious business of saving Democracy, they have warned the people that never
again ought America allow itself to be a victim for any "nation's greedy
aspirations.

Today, thanks in great measure to the Legion's far-sightedness and per-
sistence America has made giant strides in this war, has achieved "the im-
possible" in production, despite the admitted shortcomings of democracies in
war. The Legion's insistent advocacy of Universal Draft had prepared the
public mind for the acceptance of Selective Service, even in peace-time, some-
thing that few officials; ever really expected to see.

Too, though America had little actually 'in hand' for fighting a war, the
basis of a great United States Navy had been prepared, the American aircraft
industry was infinitely farther advanced than in 1917, and, as a Nation, the
United States was at least thinking in terms of possible war expansion. This
National state of mind was to prove of the utmost help when finally, and
suddenly, the American people were called upon not only to ready the Nation
for the grim business of all-out war, but also to take on the stupendous job
of helping to arm, supply and feed any and all the nations ranged on the
side of the democracies in this greatest of all world struggles.

Once again the free peoples of the world had to pay the price of their
privileges. The things Democracies cherish most make them slow starters in
war. They are blind people to essential war facts and decisions, because they
keep them ever mindful of human values. But, nevertheless it is impossible
now, despite the delays and the indecisions that inevitably have occurred, to
come before this State Department Convention, less than nine months after
the start of hostilities, and to say, with true optimism, and with complete
faith in the future—