Evening star., 1937-02-23
WALSH IN FORUM
ASKSU. s. PREPARE
Quotes Washington and
Urges New Means of Pre-
serving Neutrality.

Quoting the words of George Wash
ington, ito be prepared for war Is one
OF the most effectual means OF pre-
serving peace" Senator David I.
Walsh, Democrat, of Massachusetts,,
last night called for new ways and
means of preserving strict neutrality"
and for strengthening of national de-
fenses on land, sea and in the air.
Walsh spoke in the National Radio
Forum arranged by The Star and
broadcast over q national network Of
the National Broadcasting Co.
First citing Washington's Birthday
and paying tribute to the first Presi-
dent, Walsh discussed national defense
and declared 1T is apparent that our
own naval and military defenses are
far below the standard set by other
nations for themselves"
Our traditional policy has been and
ought to be-" said the Senator. TO
think in terms Of national defense
not in terms of Offense. Our Navy is
necessarily our first line of defense
and if impregnable, our complete de-
fense, because by the circumstances Of
our geographical position. attack upon
US. If attack does come. must come by
way OF the sea-"
Text Of Address.
The text OF Senator Walsh's address
follows:
On this national holiday, which we
have been observing today, every
American citizen who truly loves his
country, and who is truly worthy of
his heritage has had on his lips the
name of George Washington and in
his heart profound sentiments of ad-
miration and gratitude.
Tonight it is my purpose to speak to
you of Washington and to recall to
you some of the circumstances and
events OF his day-and then to discuss
the subject of peace in terms of naval
defense. Washington and the others
who founded our Republic and whose
memories we revere had their prob
lens. We have ours. But in some re-
Spects, despite the interval of CEN
tury and half, their and our prob
lens, purposes and objectiveS are
basically Identical
When Washington took control of
the Army in ITS, there were less than
three million men, women and chill
dren, black and white. in the l3
Colonies. Most of them were depend
ent on the, toll of their own hands for
their bread and shelter. Many
Winters some of them went hungry.
Wood was their only fuel. Medical
, care was scarce. Schooling was rudi-
mentary. Travel was slow and
fraught with hardship and danger.
OF recreation. as We know it today,
there was none. Yet, except for their
political grievances against the Roval
Governors and the Mother Country,
they regarded themselves as contented
and prosperous. They did not COM
plain Of their lot nor grumble about
hardshipS. They were accustomed to
gather in their churches and render
thanks to their Creator for his many
blessings and mercy. They were God
fearing and God-trusting men and
women who found psace and content
ment in steadfast reliance upon the
Creator.
Today we have an aggregate ma
tional wealth represented by stores of
gold, and other valuable resources far
beyond the imagination of King Solo,
mon. We have fine highways. free
schools, libraries. hospitals, play
grounds and public beaches To be
sure we have unemployment. Poverty
has not yet been abolished. Admit
tedly we have deep and grave social
and political problems with which to
deal. do not want to seem to mini
miZe them, but I submit that all of
our present-day troubles are small in
comparis with our blessings; that
our present personal hardships are as
nothing when compared with those
30 bravely endured by our forefathers.
Faith in Omnipotent God.
One fundamental and priceless
treasure, however, was possessed by
George Washington and his comps-
triots which, for the most part. we
today seem to have lost-that is the
sustaining comfort of belief in the
highest guidance and the protecting
power of an omnipotent God.
Any comparison between the pres
ent and Washingtons period, that is
not superficial. will reveal the fact
that the spiritual resources Of strength,
inspiration, comfort and contentment
to Washington and his conpatriots
have largely disappeared. The alb
sence of this influence has become
marked in every walk of life. Observe
the absence of religious influence, to-
day in the three activities Of our
society, namely the education Of youth,
In our business and in our political
, life. Look about and witness the con-
sequences OF this loss. of spiritual
values, and rejection of religion in
the present-day world!
The world has been rocked by ex-
plosive combats that have impaired
faith in government. created class
hatreds, permitted disproportionate
distribution OF wealth and recurring
cycles of panic and economic pros
tration. We have reached a point In
this combat of material and political
forces, in this age Of machines and
money and the pursuit of pleasure
and power that today many are ap-
prehensive with respect tc the sur
vival Of democracy. This is, indeed.
. stupenduous departure from the
ideals Of the men of Washingtons era.
I do not hesitate to say to my fel-
low countrymen on this anniversary
of Washington's birth that in my
oninion there will be no lasting Solu-
ton or permanent reconstruction OF
our economic life unless we return and
once more become inspired by the di-
vinely taught principles Of justice.
equality and charity that guided
Washington and the other patriots OF
his epoch. Unless the soul Of the Ma
ton Is dominated by the spiritual,
rather than the material. of what
avail are our laws and our Constitu-