Little Rock Central High School - Pix Yearbook (Little Rock, AR)

Page 17 text:

Upper left. Dr. Edwin N. Barron. President Upper right, W. F. Steinkamp. Center right. Craham R. Hall Lower right. Dr. Gill ert O. Dean. Secretary Lower center, Hardy L. Winburn Lower left, Werner C. Knoop J3oard °f (education

Page 19 text:

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL XourfMAf i Sir Ml « far! Arm LITTLE ROCK ARKANSAS J W Maltham. Mntfpal THE HOPE OP DEMOCRACY In these days a consensus on any subject is difficult to secure, but on one matter thoughtful people are generally agreed; that is, we Americans have an abiding faith in our democracy. In the great crisis of the Civil War and in the present crucial time when Communism threatens the entire world; it is apparent that the ties of democracy bind us together more closely than do those of any other political philosophy. We, the American people, should be extremely thankful that we had some brilliant and farsighted men at the helm of our nation one hundred and 3eventy-five years ago. After the thirteen colonies fought for their Independence, their leaders presented to the people the foundation upon which a great nation was to be constructed — the Constitution of the United States of America. We had some brilliant and farsighted people as the ordinary average citizens of those first thirteen colonies. They refused to ratify the Constitution until a promise had been made that a Bill of rtights would be added -- an insurance policy for them against any of the leaders who might aspire to dictatorial ways. Those people one hundred and seventy-five years ago gave us the power to choose our own leaders and also gave us all the protections against aggressive leaders. There is no doubt in my mind that the generation represented by the 1949 Senior Class of the Little ftock Senior High School is as fixed in its determination to preserve that document as was the earlier generation to win it. Seniors, you must not surrender any of the privileges that our forefathers gave us in our Bill of Rights and as voters of tomorrow, you must not forget or fail to see the obligation that goes with all the privileges of our democracy. You must not forget that you have a duty, a Job — that job being to participate in your government. It is said that in the recent presidential election, fifty million American people did not cast their vote. If the rights which were given us when this nation was founded are still to be here one hundred and seventy-five years hence, every American must not only take an active interest in politics but he must also actively participate in politics, thereby determining the policies of our government. Seniors, you will soon be participating citizens. To preserve our present civilization we must follow a path of willingness to sacrifice the privileges of a few for the greater good of the many. You may have to give up certain luxuries, certain peaks of ease, which only a few have obtained in the past. Through the pain, blood and death of our Revolution did we establish ourselves as a democracy; and only through courage, patience and a respect for the rights of our fellow men will we be able to maintain our democracy.