Evening star., 1941-11-22
Democracy Is Greed
Demanding Sacrifices,
Dr.. Loudon Asserts
Netherlands Minister
Addresses Society Of
Moyflower Descendants

MoyfloWer descendants
Democracy is not a form of gov.
ernment, but rather a creed whose
preservation demands sacrifices, DR.
A. Loudon, Minister of the Neither
lands, declared last night in ad-
dressing the Compact Day dinner
Of the Society of Mayf1ower De-
scendants in the District. Point
ing out that his generation had
made the mistake of thinking that
freedom could never be endangered
he warned that lip service alone
will not save democracy You have
got to fight for freedom today he
said
The dinner, held at the May
flower Hotel, was attended by about
70 members of the society and
their guests. Former Representative
Maurice H. Thatcher of Kentucky,
who was installed last night as gov
ernor of the society for a third
term, presided. In addition to the
Netherlands Minister. guests of
honor included Mrs. Loudon, Rep
resentative Stearns of New Hamp-
shire, and Mrs. Stearns, and Mrs.
Horace M. Towner, regent of the
Mount Vernon Ladies Association.
Paused in Leyden.
After leaving England, the Pill
grims chose the Dutch city of Ley
den as temporary home to obtain
freedom of conscience, DR.. Loudon
told members of the District So
ciety. Leyden had just emerged
from siege by the Spanish Army.
In recognition of the heroism of
its defenders. the Prince of Orange
offered the city one of two things
either five years free from taxes,
or a university.
The citizens of Leyden chose a
university. They proved by their
choice that they placed more i'm
portance on wealth of spirit than
on a little money" Dr.. Loudon
said, expressing the opinion that
this was one reason why the Pill
grims selected Leyden as their home
in the Netherlands.
Following their occupation of
Holland, the Nazis ordered the per-
manent closing down of this his
toric university, Dr.. Loudon con-
tinued. Though many people will
suffer, and eat rats, as did the be-
sieged citizens of Leyden more than
three centuries ago, he predicted
that the university would again be
reopened and that Holland again
would win back its freedom.
My generation realizes that we
have made mistakes" DR.. Loudon
declared. 1T is up to us to fight,
If We are to hand down to our
descendants the blessings we have
received from our forefathers."
Freedom of conscience, which the
Pilgrims sought successfully, is one
principle that cannot be DESTROYED,
he asserted.
Europe "Decapitated."
The situation which Holland now
faces following its occupation by
Hitler's legions is much the same as
that which confronted his country
in its fight against Spain just be-
fore the Pilgrims came to the
Netherlands. he pointed out. "Eu-
rope has been decapitated.' DR..
Loudon continued. The Pilgrims
were free to go anywhere to MAIN
tain their freedom of conscience.
Europeans are not free to do so any
more
'Decapitation' of Europe has
been accomplished, he explained. by
taking away from its people their
freedom of speech, thought and
hearings.
Music for the dinner was provided
by the United States Marine Band
Orchestra. In honor of the Neither
land Minister, and his country, the
orchestra played an old Dutch
Thanksgiving hymn. composed in
the early 18th century.
Mrs. Daisy Munroe was chairman
of the Entertainment Committee
that made arrangements for last
nights dinner.
Thatcher BrOadcasts.
Mr.. Thatcher. governor of the Dis
trlct Society of Mayflower Descend
ants, discussed The Pilgrim Con-
in radio address yester-
day afternoon over Station WMAL |
as part of the celebration of the |
32lst anniversary of the signing of t
the Mayf1oWer Compact.
The tremendous and dangerous
problems which now confront the |
American people can never be solved .
wisely or well unless each and every
element in the land exhibits and |
practices the spirit of sacrifice and .
effort for the common veal that
was exhibited and practiced by the
Pilgrims of that bygone day Mr..
Thatcher said.
The peril from without is grave;
but to us the peril that lies within
may be graVer yet. We cannot hope |
to conquer the danger from without !
until we subdue the danger within.
Let us profit by the Pilgrim
example"