Mendota High School - Atodnem Yearbook (Mendota, IL)

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.-5.1.-.QE a 3-4 ' f ' 'W 'Q ' W hal are We Going to Do About It? Ever since the Declaration of Independence was written our nation has had documentary evidence of the Rights of Citizens. It is certainly opL portune and expedient that the Duties of Citizens be placed prominently before the eyes and earnestly in the hearts of us citizens. We have lived too long with the idea that everybody's law is nobody's law. Ignorance of the law has become a hackneyed expression. It always has been an unpardonable excuse. While an officer of the people is a servant of the people, he cannot carry the whole load alone. He is the servant in the sense of a leader, not a slave. He may be the point of the wedge or the keystone of the arch, but the sides of the wedge and the arch play a very important and indispensable part. Too many of our officials are really powerless and inactive simply because they receive no support from the community. If as citizens we have censured our leaders for neglect of duty and have refused or neglected to share the burden with them, we have been negligent in turn, and what is more, have been unfair and unjust. Officials will do ex- actly what is expected of them. What is expected of them is governed en- tirely by the citizens themselves. If we should apply our attitude in times of of peace to times of war, we should, if we are consistent, expect the officers of our army and navy to assume the entire work of the campaign even to trench digging and stoking. lVe all recognize the futility of such a condi- tion. The fact remains, whether we like it or not, that that is exactly what we are doing in times of peace. It is true not only of our government, na- tional, state and local, but too often in our churches, schools and homes. Every time any law or ordinance is violated, every citizen cognizant of the violation is as negligent of duty as is the officer. Every citizen must feel and carry his share willingly and worthily. When this is done, we shall never have to condemn any official. Because of strong public sentiment and pop- ular support, he will perform all the duties of his office as efficiently and hon- orably as did Samuel of old. If as a people we were as ready to assist those in authority as we are to tell them how things should be done, we would be advanced in true democ- racy at least a hundred per cent. Just as long as citizens of a community wink at lawbreaking, just so long will officers,remain inactive. The minute a community rises to its civic obligations, its officers will do their duty in every respect. The keynote to the whole situation lies in the work and attitude oil what we do each day in times of peace. The tone of this civic activity will per- meate and shape the progress of our nation and of the world. The amount of responsibility to the people that our executives and legislators feel will depend entirely upon. the support we give them each day Men in public office cannot possibly follow or adopt all the various plans offered them by their constituents All such leaders can do 1S to use the best means at hand to perform the will of the magority of the people There prob ably has never been a law ordinance or regulation that has not worked a hard SEVEN . . . . . . . . . I I I I I . . . . . . , . . . , . PQ-sfow-shawn. .Avq3.'a+s'.'4-Qg,b-ur-sum.. ef-v-HQFQQ' V Q 'X ....,tg.,,r,',':.:,'vE'-1.f.:,,.:.:fxc..,.-f:.:.u - -'E'-fc.-.vffcafsti , U , , , ICN' A il fit'

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rj W R. E. BEEBE. PRINCIPAL 5 M

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l-'30 an e' W 4 s-Janis .ze U . . ' ' are 3 ' :zo PI' a . o 1,0 l 0 - 'Il E3 E3 Ei E3 E3 sz EE? ii? Q? fi? . 3' 0 E3 Q5 lil '- ,. E9 fa TEE? fi' ,sag 5 -s..4..a,-FA-Q-r 1-X..-.ff ua.-v'+'2:3'-'s?4'.5 p 11-v'5?4',l:I 5.5.-o'g's....r v 3- Q49 ' s-su ship upon individuals here and there especially as they see it. These few in- dividuals naturally air their grievances quite broadly, often unjustly, be- cause they fail to consider the welfare of the majority in the contemplation of their own particular cases. The conclusion they reach is that the law or regulation is entirely wrong and unjust, and such condemnation often carries with it those in any way connected with the law. Of course laws and of- ficials are not aways infallible. But in most cases matters have been very carefully weighed and considered from every practical angle. Criticism, like competition, is an important and beneficial thing. As a people, however, we have somehow come to think of only the one side of crit- icism and that-is its adverse nature. Too many take the position, possibly un- intentionally fand without malice, that the minute ta citizen in -any civic ca- pacity assumes the cloak oioffice, he is iniline for censure. We are over- looking and old and yet vitally important pedagogical principle, namely, that praise and commendation go a great deal farther toward promoting efficiency than do blame and condemnation. VVe have somehow come to condemn from purely selfish viewpoints rather than from democratic and patriotic standards. If we but realized what tremendous returns are really available thru the use of favorable criticism, we would overcome the present tendency to say nothing whatever as long as things go satisfactorily. In place of silence, de- served words of approval would hearten and increase tl1e good work of those selected to guide our state and community. It is indeed time that the cen- sorious phase of criticism be placed in the subordinate position it rightfully should occupy, and that commendable criticism be given an opportunity to produce results heretofore undreamed of. Contrary to the opinion of a few, favorable criticism does not tend in most cases to make officials more dictatorial and conceited. Rather it creates and augments their desires to further please those whom they serve. In ex- tending their services they will consider the general welfare of the community even more than before. Continuous and unjust censure often causes a public leader to feel that whatever he does will result in condemnation, so he reaches the-conclusion that since his efforts are not appreciated it doesn't make any difference what he does. This same official if watched and praised when he does creditably fill his office, will outdo himself and serve unselfishly. Just what kind of a condition would be find ourselves in if national of- ficials, state and local officials, including preachers and teachers, had the time to discuss citizens and parents as promiscuously, especially before the oncom- ing generations, as they in turn are often discussed? Why should the fact that a certain man or woman occupies a more or less prominent position in a community give everybody license to direct unfair and unnecessary remarks against him? When it comes to- a matter of principle or Christianity there is no justification for such a condition. Yet it is the existence of this very con- dition that keeps out of office some of the best people in any community. What a wonderful and incomprehensible improvement could be made if only we would support, by act and word, those whom we elect to the highest or to the lowliest offiices! . What are we going to do about it? EIGHT f .-f.f '.-.'- '.....- ..- '. .- f i. '. - '. '.- .-.'. -. ---.'. 'W....g.-- .-.,-.t . .-,-,- -,-.-.V -7-it a-r-A .X-Q--1 vu-vs' 4- ' 'N-va U.,-vs.,-Q-s..-Q-n ' Aw-Q-n .1-Q-,N-1-Q