The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1938-12-22
America Must Mobilize Democracy
To Safeguard Liberty, Says Green


fense of the guarantees Of life, liberty
and the pursuit of happiness express
ed in the Declaration of Independence
and embodied in the Constitution of
the United States and an equally Wig
orous condemnation of the brutal per-
secution Of Jews, Catholics, Protest
ants, and trade unionists in Nazi Ger
many featured the address by William
Green, president of the American
Federation of Labor, who presided at
the Leon Blum Colony dinner at the
Hotel Astor here.
The purpose of the dinner was to
promote the establishment of the Leon
Blum Colony in Palestine, named
after the former Prime Minister of the
French Republic, as haven for vic
timized Jews who are denied all civil
and political rights under Hitler's
totalitarian State The officers Of the
colony are Rose Schneiderman, secre-
tary of the New York State Depart
ment of Labor and president Of the
New York Women's Trade Union
League; Max Zaritsky, head Of the
United Hatters, Cap and Millinery
Workers International Union, and
Lucy Lang, writer.
Mr.. Green stressed the fact that as
early as 1917 the American Fedora
ton of Labor recommended that the
President of the United States and
the International Congress called to
negotiate peace terms recognize the
propriety of establishing a national
homeland in Palestine for Jewish peo-
pie.
The guests of honor at the dinner
were Mrs. Franklin Delano Roosevelt
and the French Ambassador to the
United States, Count Rene de Saint
Quentin.
Text of Green's Address
The text of Mr. Green's address
follows:
The events which are taking place
at this time throughout the world
arouse within the hearts and minds OF
the American people new sense OF
appreciation of the benefits and bless
ings of American citizenship.
1t is in the spirit of America and
in accordance with the highest and
best traditions of it's people that we
meet here tonight.
The presence of all who are here
must be interpreted as evidence OF
your willingness to cooperate in the
promotion of a most worthy enter
prise.
In addition, there are many who re-
side in other parts Of the country who
are in full sympathy with the aims
and purposes of this meeting and whc
have found it impossible to be pres
ent.
ISs, Value Of Democracy
During our busy life we are apt tC
forget the value of democracy and OF
it's relation to life and living. We are
inclined to accept freedom and justice
as commonplace. But, when we arc
threatened with the loss of any of the
fundamental rights guaranteed US by
the Constitution of our country we be
come deeply concerned and alarmed.
Thus the happenings in Central ant
Northern Europe have attracted ou
attention to the real meaning Of th'
Declaration of Independence and tn
Bill Of Rights.
While there may be those who corn
plain about our form of governmen
and constantly emphasize its alleges
shortcomings there is none who wcul'
favor change in the Declaration o
Independence of a revision of the Bill
of Rights.
OF ia Ire
served as the basis of our democrac'
and liberty are as we'll suited to mod
crn life and conditions as they wer'
to the conditions of life and livini
which existed when our Government
was formed.
Firmly embodied within these decla
rations are the guarantees Of life, lib
erty and the pursuit of happiness
This means freedom of speech, free
dom of assemblage and the right tt
worship in accordance with the die
tates of conscience.
These fundamentals Of democrac.
came to us as priceless heritage
We cherish them as we do life it
self.
The call of the moment is to leari
the lesson which comparison and con
trast teach us. We must know an,
understand the difference between
democracy and autocracy in govern
mental affairs. This is made neces
sary because conflict between tn.
proponents of clashing political philos
ophes is now being waged and ha!
reached serious proportions. Man!
nations have become subject to dicta
torial control and, as result thei
people are deprived Of the right O
self-governmcnt.
Democracy is the safe guard agains
oppression and racial discrimination
This is made clear at the present mo
ment.
For instance, no one believes tina
the German people are in sympath.
with the policy of the dictator VIII,
originates and formulates his govern
mental policies.
When Germany and Austria wcr
democracies minoritics were protected