University of Delaware - Blue Hen Yearbook (Newark, DE)

Page 13 text:

?o the h.gou.s and Eau?hen of fhs auiwnify af Efjaware : The buming principles of the Declaration of Independence and the protec- tive tenets of the Bill of Rights are becoming increasingly important in our thoughts and plans for the future. Freedom of speech and of the press, the free exercise of religious thought end of worship, the right to peaceably assem- ble, equal protection under our laws,these are the things for which you have been working and studying, and which vou now go forth prepared to guard and uphold. In this graduating class of 1941 are, perthaps Governors, Senators, Judges and Congressmen of the future. There are others among vou who, though not destined or desiring to fill public place, yet in the performance of the duties of citizenship, will, with less of glamour but no less of honor, by precept and example so mold public opinion that liberty under the law will be the boon to you and your children that it was to your fathers. It may be that the ease, tranquility and lack of governmental responsibility that go with the haleyon days of one's minority have made you unmindful of the heritage that is yours. The noble activity and zeal for freedom which made vour ancestors Invincible may have remained uncbserved by wou. That governments of the people do not survive the watchiulness of the people, iz a truism which may have escaped your attention. But true it is that soon you will be the guardions not only of your own liberty, but of that of posteriy as well. America's Constitution is your heritage. It will remain yours only f you love wealth less than liberty, and the tremcuility of servitude less than the cnimated contest of freedom. It will remain yours eny on condition that you bring to its defense a spirlt unafraid, o courage of the mold that gave it birth. May you protect it well,for America's Constitution is Liberty's greatest safeguard