Mount St Joseph Academy - Yearbook (Brighton, MA)

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The American Bill of Rights, Our Precious Heritage flflfirmirzg Omtiorz. of Constilu kxhvtlt ' If!! 'ff .rf- pl, :F-Y,-,,, 1-lg' f,... i ,,..-dl if- Z -3 l. 5 if -4 lg'- -- -4--1 4Y- Q iid-'l,m'x',.-f -6,7-f 'Q ff-- fi-L l ,4 5 ff? S TUE contemplate today the dis- integrating forces at work in Europe and shudder at the atrocious actions of Soviet Russia, as we burn with resent- ment at. the thought of the German people bullied by one man and see a sad situation made more pitiable by the formation of a new Anti-Christian Al- liance, we are led to appreciate more than ever before, our own most precious heritage as citizens of the United States of America. lfVe are the fortunate pos- sessors of a Constitution, which for a century and a half, has served as a beacon to guide our country's destinies and lead our Ship of State safely through perils and storms. The brilliant rays which have illumined the way to peace, con- tentment, and happiness, are the Hrst ten amendments to the Constitution, better known as the American Bill of Rights. It must not be supposed that the guarantee of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, which is ours today, was definitely stated in the Constitutional document as it came from the Conven- tion of 1787. The framers of our Con- Qlgmet Y tional Oratmical Contestj stitution, it would seem, saw no real need for the incorporation of such a fea- ture in the original document. They had established a federal judiciary to preserve the people from executive and legislative tyranny and considered this sufficient. However, the people did not look upon the matter in the same light. Great indeed, was the furor on the part of the people when the framers of the Constitution presented their handiwork to the vote of the states. Loud and vehement were the protests that a hand- ful of men in a secret session should cast into the discard religious liberty, free- dom of speech, freedom of press and other fundamental rights which their ancestors had wrested from power during a contest of ages. There was a clause in the original draft, however, which allowed for re- vision. Men of foresight, men apprecia- tive of the value of liberty, took advan- tage of such a provision and presented all sorts of suggestions and demands. blames Madison, in the face of bitter Conserva- tive opposition, brought forth twelve amendments for ratification, ten of which were accepted, becoming our Bill of Rights and part of the law of our land, In the light of the popular attitude toward the Constitution at its birthg in the light of that definite insistence on the part of the people for a written guarantee of liberty, our Bill of Rights assumes a prominent place in our governmental T 3 T l -T TH ,Il t ' ,, - V llt t v,.,-?, gi I e Mount

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noted, loved, and remembered of war poets entered the Church in 1913, with his wife. In faith one may find, he said, that purity and strength which are the guarantees of immortality. The Reverend Robert H. Lord, Ph.D., former Harvard professor, who did grad- uate work in renowned foreign univer- sities, declared that he knew nothing until he became a member of the Church. All his work and research led him to the Altar of Christ. Good example is the the basis for many conversions, the good example of a per- son living his faith will lead another into the faith. The good example of young men, football players from the University of Notre Dame, led their famed coach, Knute Rockne, into the fold. Every morning preceding a game, the members of the team went out of their hotel in the early morning hours and assisted at Mass for the success of their tryst that day. This example, given by these players to their coach, was the self-admitted reason for his conversion. John Farrow, the movie scenario writer, and author of Damien, Nm Leper, is a well-known recent convertg the example of his Catholic actress wife led him, exultant, into the Church. He is a staunch and stalwart exemplifier of Catholic Action in Hollywood life, his writings have shown to the reading public, the joy and truth he had found, as he brought to life, in print, Damien. In the heart of Christ these men and women have found a new peace, new meaning, and a new outlook on our earthly existence and eternal destiny. They appreciate, guard, and nourish their new Religion, but, do we, we who were born into a Catholic environment? In too many cases, those born into the Church are apt to neglect, and not duly esteem the full value of their faith until it is too late. These Converts set the example, sometimes, to Catholics of long standing, but this should not be so: it is we who should give the good example of living Catholicity. Since their spiritual re-birth, they have become actual partici- pants in the Mystical Body of Christ. Thus, in a partial way, is the Redeemer's command fulfilled, Going therefore, teach ye all nations. -CATHERINE McDi2RMorr, '40, l Q i Q 't 82 , lil ff if 4 i ,554 x l l . .-...........-.-.1940 , . Uff lil Fl

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,,1..g, - Mitt.: t ' Pitt inlfal-g ' ,I , Q WWm0MjQt ri' . , f nw tj j,..gWt'.i ,- i t Ili? Z. tilt .tht it f X ill, a, 1. ' I.. p 'ill 'nl' 3 gunum 4 ,?..l, I j ' as A .- C 3' i ,, a .t , T ll Il structure. NVhen placed against the background of today's events in Russia and Germany, however, the paramount importance of these first ten amendments stands out in sharper relief. These na- tions have been swept by the storm of' a new political philosophy which has banished completely the four basic free- doms specified so clearly in our first amendment. ln Russia, the practice of' religion is a passport to death. Freedom ol speech is constantly throttled to pre- vent criticism of a dictator's outrageous cruelty. The average citizen is a mere automaton with no voice, whatsoever, in the government. ln Germany, likewise, millions ol' people are oppressed and freedom ol speech, press, and assembly are but a vague memory in the hearts ol' those im- prisoned in concentration camps. XVhile private property still exists, the right ol ownership is a contingent one. Private property can be and is expropriated with or without compensation, with tl1e sole justihcation that it is in the interest of' the State. Hotties are ruthlessly in- vaded. There is no right off trial, and cruel and unusual punislnnents have be- come commonplace. ln contrast. with such procedure, we in the United States enjoy a sacred freedom -a distinguishing characteristic of American government. XVe live in a country where assurance of' religious free- dom is contained in our Supreme Law, Saved from the tyranny of a dictator. Americans are free to express themselves, to criticize public oflicials lor their acts and to debate issues. The press may speak its mind and print, the news ol' the day. People may hold peaceful meetings to petition the government for any re- dress ol' grievances. All this is ours by The second amendment assures us of protection in our homes and property by a well-regulated militia maintained in all states. The third amendment which pro- hibits the unjust or unlawful quartering of soldiers was ol much more importance to early Americans than to us lor they had experienced the disastrous effects of the quartering acts. VVithout the next amendment, how- ever, oflicers of the law could possibly be- come an overbearing group. This article prevents an oflicer trom entering l1on1es without a warrant.. Thus, our homes are sale from the invasion of a Gestapo or its equivalent. Amendments live to eight are con- cerned with a citi4en's rights in court. Individuals cannot be deprived ol' lile, liberty or property, except according to law. Every defendant is guaranteed a speedy trial. He is entitled to an im- partial jury and judgment ol guilt must be based either upon a voluntary plea ol guilty or upon a jury's unanimous verdict. The ninth amendment declares that the enumeration of certain rights i11 the Constitution does not limit the people in the possession of others, while the tenth amendment reserves for the states or people all powers not delegated to the national government. Thus, the utmost precautions were taken against the establishment of a bureaucracy. Wle see, then, by some happy dispensa- tion of Providence, men built more wisely than they knew, for our Bill of Rights still stands-a light ol freedom, ever ready to disperse the black forces of greed and subversion, so eager to enshroud us in their darkness. And yet. il great numbers of our citi- lens cease to believe deeply in individual virtue ol' our hrst amendment. Q IS51 N PM iff N-'Q' l 1940 V ,ITYJWMH ,Q