Mount St Joseph Academy - Yearbook (Brighton, MA)

Page 86 text:

9' fi Q: ,f - L fc s.. I 11? 7'Nf' E s M Vi? '-22 ee Fla. at f,?fif7,.l ., ,. ., ,, ,,g , I, Q. 'V .M liberty and sell'-respect, if great numbers of them cease to thrill with thankfulness for the inestimable freedom they enjoy, we may lose these priceless privileges, even as citizens of other nations have. H the American people through a lack ol serious thinking, through their actions, through their vote, or through their in- difference allow the winds of destructive criticism, discontent, or hatred to dim the brightness of their liberties, eventually, their ten great signal lights will be ex- l35l tinguished by a SLOYIU of political evils and the rights lor which our forefathers so valiantly fought, will be lost in the dark night of injustice and despotism. As true, loyal Americans, then, we owe it to ourselves, our countrymen and the cause ol: liberty, to do all in our power to preserve this American heritage of individual freedom that it may continue to cast its lustrous light lor the peace and happiness of all posterity! STELLA RUUACK, '4o. if ', ,gf J' ! l 'HZ lllf 5 ,lllf, 2 L , A V' , ' The Mount

Page 85 text:

,,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

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Remember? Living Rosary .PX t'olorl'nl anal in1prt'ssirc fcrcntony, :ts un 21t'l ol' devo- tion to Our Lzuly, was tltv lir- itw' rosztrv lortnccl on thc h 1 cznnpus by tltt' stntlcnt, lnotly. Halloween Party Danrc :tt l'ltt' Mountu! Howling wincls and tccnt- ing rains lztilccl to clznnpt-n tllt' spirits ol' tlttf Seniors. Every onc rznnc, cron tltc 'Wlil'llCS. Tllcscr lonr class ofliccrs l1l2lIl2lg'Cll to stztntl still lor Z1 tnotnt-nt to Ux V2lll'll lllL' birdie! Senior Play Orcllicls to tllc rust! The liistrionic ability ol' thc Scniors pmkccl thc auclitoriutn to tltc rc-ry floors at tht: pres- entation ol' tltc clcliglitlnl contttcly Ul'0llyllllIlfl. 1940 E371 - X ' ' O . x if fs ,aff 55? I l l Jtvl