The Spirit of an Unconquered Nation

Camp News, Volume 2, Issue 78, 20 June 1941, Page 2

The Spirit of an Unconquered Nation

Peace, Peace—but there is no peace.

Address by professor J. J. Zmrhal,

President of the Czechoslovak National Council of America, delivered on Czechoslovak Day at the World’s Fair in New York City on July 28th, 1940.

The American Nation is made up of citizens whose origins are in all parts of the globe. It seems that destiny has willed it so —that our country was to show the world that human ideals of peace and civilization can be worked satisfactorily if there be a goal worthy enough to unite all the people, worthy of all the sacrifices necessary. Our American ideal is human dignity, justice, peace, security and free pursuit of happiness. It has made us into a nation, the emanation of the numerous trouble-makers notwithstanding . Von Ribbenthrop and Hitler may rage and fume, they may boast that they can throw us into hopeless confusion, but we know from experience that the core of America is sound, and that in a crisis we shall stand as one against the world, if necessary, to defend her and her priceless heritage.

I do not need to dwell at length on the role citizens of Czechoslovak origin have played in her short, but glorious history. They fought for the Union under the leadership of the immortal Lincoln; they were actively wtih her in the Spanish crisis, making the supreme sacrifice; they enlisted in thousands when the first call for volunteers was made by president Wilson of illustrious memory. And to-day, on the Czechoslovak day at the World’s Fair they are here to testify that they hold the safety of their adopted country paramount and their loyalty and devotion is unimpaired, unshaken, and that they are ready to dare their utmost so that American freedom and independence may be preserved forever. That is our message to our fellow American citizens.

In the land of our fathers, a great tragedy has taken place. The beautiful country with its high culture, with its surging passion for liberty and peace, has been made into a huge prison with countless torture chambers; her schools were closed; her youth ’ enslaved, - raped, and murdered; her free press abolished, her people ruthlessly .robbed both of material and spiritual-possessions.

And yet the Czechoslovak nation has not given up its love of freedom; it has not given up hope; it has not given up the struggle. The people are just patiently waiting for the hour when they can re-assert themselves and share in the final victorious struggle of the forces of light which will free the world from the menace that is threatening.

In saying this we are not optimists, blind to the engulfing dancers all around us. We are fully aware of them. We are particularly aware of the dangers to America, and are doing everything possible to help all the citizens to realize the gravity of the situation. We have even forseen the danger and sounded the warning* signal a year before the events in Europe aroused the general public in our commonwealth. At that time we were the voice, calling in the desert— that voice had to be heard, it has to sound now daily, hourly every incessantlyfor there are, alas, still some who would hush the warnings of common sense, and who live in a fool’s paradise of security which unhappily does not exist.

“Gentlemen may cry ‘Peace, Peace,’ —but there is no peace.”

The sound of the European hurricane is too close, too threatening, too real.

We are praying and working for an intelligent American unity— so that our defence may be served efficiently. We are,, co-operating with all, who, like true patriots, are trying to keep war from the American shores by helping the Allies. I say Allies, because with England, Czechoslovakia is fighting, and Poland, and other nations. Yes, we believe that the aid to the Allies should be extended, that everything short of war should be done to save America from the ravages of war; for, the airplanes of Hitler must never minder our innocent women and children, the bloody mailed fist of the worst invader of modern times must not be laid on the throat of free America.

And so we shall keep on praying and working for America, for humanity, for a real, just peace, fully satisfied that when brutal force is dethroned, when justice assumes its rightful place, when light shall be triumphant over darkness and humanity, over the ugly monster of oppression and murder; Czechoslovakia shall rise from her tomb more glorious, more beautiful than ever before.

Y.M.C.A., Y.W.C.A. — Accommodation is also available at the Y.M.C.A., 150-2 Willis Street, where 100 extra beds are in readiness for soldiers on leave. Hot showers, etc., are abundant and meals are served at cost prices. On Sundays a special high tea is served when the visitors are entertained with items, community sings, etc.