Johnstown High School - Spectator Yearbook (Johnstown, PA)

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SPECTATOR 19 ZA an 4 I ' ' 7 2 6 Principal s Page THE AMERICAN'S CREED I believe in the United States of America as a gov- ernment of the people, by the people, for the people, whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed, a democracy in a republic, a sovereign Na- tion of many sovereign States, a perfect Union, one and inseparable, established upon those principles of free- dom, equality, justice, and humanity for which Afmer- ican patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes. I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it, to support its Constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies. , Every boy and girl in America should learn by heart the American's Creed. Every teacher in America should see to it that every pupil in his class either recites the Creed or Writes it from memory as part of the required work in English, History, or Civics. That the rising generation both native-born and for- eign may get the full meaning of this Creed in its far reach- ing significance, it should not only be committed but time should be taken for study and reflection along patriotic lines. Better still, since we learn by doing, schools and classes might organize democracies and live them in their class rooms and by learning to be school citizens in a school democracy be better citizens, morally, socially, and in- tellectually in our city, state, and nation. Our schools should teach democracy by precept and example if our country is to have a new birth of freedom and

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18 SPECTATOR unfortunate piano, she fled into her room, bolting the door after her. She had no sooner accomplished this than Betty and her roommate rushed into the hall crying: There are ghosts in this house. This evidently was a signal for, in a second, the corridor was filled with would- be-frightened girls. l What is the matter, oh, what and where are the ghosts? they cried. Miss Stubbs appeared white and trembling, Sh-h! Oh, girls, do get back to bed before the whole school is awak- ened. ' But Miss Stubbs, several girls cried hysterically, Betty heard the ghost in Peggy's parlor playing the piano, didn't you, Betty? A group of girls verified the statement by shouting, I did too. While the wily Betty tookiona new fit of hysterics to hold the hall teacher's attention, her roommate slipped into the parlor and removed the telltale strings. Finally, Miss Stubbs succeeded in getting the girls back to their rooms. She retired after securely bolting her door. The ruse was a success. Miss Stubbs' troublesome door remained locked every evening following that event- ful one. Peace and contentment reigned on floor No. 2. The girls henceforth spoke very reverently ofiPeggy's parlor for it was through the unfortunate Peggy that midnight visits and midnight feasts were again possible. Q W .iq 'O ' 1 ,jf ,HKD Y. ' -l 2 in Q . , . JA, X ' 'Y , n '-,X Q5

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'x x I xx x...' 20 SPECTATOR if this government for the people is not to perish from the earth. A democracy is a country where all the people are free, where all have a voice in making the laws and in de- ciding how they shall be governed. These are parts of the meaning of democracy, but not all. Our word democracy is made from two Greek words meaning people and rule. Lincoln spoke of a government of the people, by the peo- ple, for the people, and that is just about what a dem- ocracy is. How can all the people rule? Suppose one wants one thing and another something else. Somebody has to give up, of course, just as when children want to play different games. Since they have to play together to have a game at all, they decide on the game that most of them want. That is what we mean when We say the majority rules. How can people be free if they have to do what the majority wants when it isn't what they want themselves? Let's ask it the other way. How could they be free if they did not do this? Suppose one man wants something his neighbors have-their cows, or furniture, or automobiles. His neighbors, of course, do not want Lhim to have them, and perhaps if he could take them, some one might come along someday and be free to take what he has. That wouldn't be freedom for anybody. It would be just savagery, rule by, force. The only person with any rights would bethe one with might to take them. That which is really democratic is good not for any one class or group but for all. Here are a few laws and customs that are common in America. Are they democratic in this, that they are good for all rather than for a class or group? 1. Forbidding people to spit or smoke where they please. 2. Always keeping to the right of the road. 3. Letting the umpire in a game decide disputes. . 4. Not permitting a- farmer to sell unclean milk. 5. Not allowing one man to have slaves. 6. Not permitting a pupil to cut classes. 7. Making children go to school till they are 16 years old.