Warren High School - Hilltop Yearbook (Warren, MA)

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LITERARY F R E E D O M I THE OBIECTIVE OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS My country 'tis of thee Sweet Land of liberty . . . . Let freedom ring. These words by Samuel Francis Smith instill patriotism in the hearts of every true American citizen. The freedom and liberty that Samuel Francis Smith refers to are guaranteed in the Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the Constitution. A discussion of the Bill of Rights has never been more timely than at present when so many countries are denied the freedom given under this document. To understand this question fully, it is necessary to know a brief history of the adoption of the Constitution and the first ten amendments to that great body of laws. Before the Constitution was adopted, the several states were governed by the Articles of Confedera- tion. This loosely-knit body of laws had no power over the states. The nation was chaotic. lt was impossible for the country to prosper under those conditions, thus, the Constitutional Convention was called. As a result of the cooperation of the ablest men of the day--Washington, Hamilton, Madison, Franklin, Morris, Randolph-we now enjoy the liberties guaranteed under the Constitution of the United States of America. When the different state conventions discussed the Constitution, many fears were expressed lest it should make the government too powerful. Some thought that the people were in danger of losing their liberties. Patrick Henry, the greatest American orator, in thunderous voice denounced the Constitution be- cause it lacked a Bill of Rights. I james Madison pledged his word that at the earliest opportunity he would use his energy toward placing into the Federal Constitution the requisite amendments guaranteeing the citizens' rights and privileges. Congress, therefore, as soon as it convened, submitted twelve amendments drawn up by james Madi- son. Ten of these articles were ratified by the States and are known as the Bill of Rights. This Bill of Rights was intended to guard the freedom of the people against the perils which had beset them just before the War of Independence. The Bill of Rights is the very core of the constitution. I might say the core itself is the first article which guarantees us four fundamental freedoms-freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of peaceful assembly. Without these freedoms democracy cannot exist. In my opinion, Article I plus Article VI, trial by jury, constitute the most important articles in the Bill of Rights. I, therefore, shall confine myself to discuss only these two articles. Although the other civil liberties are tremendously important, religious freedom is outstanding be- cause lt 2 Opens the soul of a man to the inspiration of faith. Without faith in God and, therefore, in himself, man is inevitably enslaved to the dark and poisonous forces of despair and selfishness. There is a universal recognition of the fact that Cod is the father of many different children and that each of His children worships, loves, adores, calls to Him in a different manner-each according to his own conscience. No one can deny this fact, and yet, years ago, man was told by his superior that he had to worship God as his superior worshiped Him. Today conditions are even more tragic. It is not a particular church or a particular religion that the despots hate. It is all religion, for faith in God forbids making a god out of the ruler. For this reason, the dictators of the world have organized a campaign against religion. Probably the saddest example of the denial of religious right is the persecution of the jewish race in Germany. We hear many people say, Conditions in Germany can't be so bad as we hear. To refute this state- ment, I shall quote Quentin Reynolds, who was sent to Europe to get first-hand information. He talked with German officials, jewish refugees, English benefactors alike. Reynolds recounted a few authentic incidents. 3 ln Dortmund a jew was forced to crawl three miles on his hands and knees. In Leipzig forty jews were forced to stand in a sewer up to their armpits in filth. On the Lehninstrasse, the working quarter of Berlin, a jew of seventy-five was knocked down and trampled to death. ln Nuremberg a jew, trying to defend himself, produced a passport with an American visa. He was accused of going to America only to spread propaganda. His throat was cut. I. The Story of the Constitution -Senator Ashurst-pg. 45. 2. Liberty Apr. 23, l938, How Long Will We Have Religious Liberty? pg. 6 3. CoIlicr's, Feb. ll, l939, Unwanted pg. 28

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EDITORIALS IN RETROSPECT Because of the hurricane, which irreparably damaged our high school, we were compelled to continue our classes at the grammar school. Although we have many inconveniences, such as a limited space for books, no science laboratory, shorter periods, and no library whatever, the number of honor and credit pupils has remained at a very high level. We are happy to say that one of the challenges of last year's Hilltop staff has been met, for we present to the Student Body a new school emblem, designed by john Cahill, bearing the motto, Truth, Service, Loyalty. SCHOOL COMMUNITY CHEST Every year the student body president makes constant, but futile, appeals for the payment of student body dues. As an incentive to pay the seventy-five-cent levy by a specified date, letters have been awarded. We think that such a practice is childish. Since these efforts to collect revenue in the past have been so fruitless, we have a proposition to offer which we think will benefit the whole school. lt is a School Com- munity Chest. Surely every pupil must be acquainted with the community chest campaigns which are launched every year to finance the social needs of towns and cities. Our plan is similar, for we believe that the revenue raised should be spent proportionally for all activities instead of being concentrated on one or two. A sound projector to replace our out-dated silent one, books for the library, musical instruments for the orchestra, magazine subscriptions, athletic equipment-these are the worthwhile projects that would benefit from our chest. To raise the funds to carry out this plan we suggest that ten cents a month be collected in each home room by the class treasurer. With an enrollment of over two hundred pupils, we would have a revenue of two hundred dollars assured. To supplement this fund, we could conduct a benefit dance or bridge party. Now is the time to learn community-mindedness and the importance of being self-supporting. BINDING MAGAZINES How often have you, in your quest for material for a research essay, gone to the school library for a certain magazine, only to find it among the missing, because it was a back number? A nominal sum set aside from the Student Body Treasury would be sufficient to bind annually the copies of each magazine. This would, indeed, facilitate our search for references. SOUND PROIECTOR The World's Fair demonstrates tomorrow's customs, achievements, and ideals. Being progressive, we find our chief concern is today and its problems. This is just why we find fault with our films. Naturally not having a sound projector, we can't get modern films. We find that our films are absurdly out-of-dateg the surroundings, manners, and customs in the films are old-fashioned. lf a sound projector were furnished, we could obtain the new films dealing with today's achievements, not yesterday's. We cannot work up the right enthusiasm over ancient historyg we want today's achievements. Since movies are a great asset in educa- tion, we think that a sound projector is absolutely ne:essary. SCHOOL ORCHESTRA Students, do you play any kind of instrument? Here's your chance to do something for the orange and black before you graduate. Let's not be the only school lacking a high school orchestra. We have check- ed up and found a large number of different instruments such as: Guitar, mandolin, saxophone, cornet, drums, banjo, piano, trumpet, ukelele, clarinet, accordion, trombone, cello, violin, and harmonica. We could organize a fine orchestra with all these helpful instruments. But we need more violins. We shall be able to get money for more violins if action is taken immediately for the school community chest fund. Don't be bashful. Why not make public your talents, and we do mean you! So come on, studentsg let's take action and show some cooperation and interest in school activities. - ASSEMBLY SINGS For the past few years the assembly sings have come few and far between. lt is not that the pupils have lost their voices, but the failure by some to realize the necessity for such gatherings. lt is at these times that the students come in contact with one another through a common interest. lf school spirit is to become a reality rather than just talk, the pupils must get together, From time immemorial, song has bound the hearts of men. There is no better way of building up morale.

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After seeing these heart-rending conditions, Reynolds cries, lf you can remain dispassionate and objective to their problem you are made of stone. Likewise, in Soviet Russia where Communism, under the noble rule of Stalin, is supreme, religious free- dom is practically non-existent. Stalin not only controls industry, but also controls the minds and the beliefs of his subjects, Stalin, like Hitler and Mussolini, focuses his attention on youth. All the despots realize that a nation is as its youth is. So, on Sunday, instead of going to catechism classes, the youth of Russia is called to national meetings-similar to the Boy Scouts of America-where he is hypnotised into believing that Communism is his God. When the dictators try to eliminate religion, they are dealing with a sensitive subject, for religion is the soul of man, the lack of which causes him to lose faith in himself and his associates. To have happiness, man must have religion. The next article, freedom of speech, l now shall discuss. Unless people are free to talk as they please, saying what they really think about governmental problems, even when they disagree with the ruling group, the citizens will have no basis for forming intelligent opinions about such problems, and will be unable to exert any real influence on their government. What does man have a mind for, but to tell others what his thoughts are? Of what value is an un- spoken thought? A man may have a wonderful idea of how some problem should be taken care of, but unless he acquaints people with his idea, the plan is practically worthless. ln the United States, through the Bill of Rights, we are urged to speak just what we think about any problem before the nation at large. However, conditions are iust the opposite in the Fascist and Communist governments. People are afraid to speak con- fidentially to their next-door neighbors, for fear that they might be pseudo-friends. Probably the most striking example of how reserved one must be, is the fact that one of Hitler's closest friends was put to death be- cause he had taken the privilege of calling Der Fuehrer by his first name. You may think this is absurd, but it is only one of the many similar cases that occur under dictatorship rule. ln Russia working conditions are very hard on the poor laborer, nevertheless, he has no complaint to make, for he would rather continue under these conditions than risk his life to take a different position. Because freedom of speech and freedom of peaceful assembly are so closely related, l shall consider this article next. Let the right of assembly be abridged, and Communism has a foothold. The freedom to discuss, to disapprove, and to criticize a government's actions is the very thing which free people consider most important. Most of the charges that Fascist governments make against democracy are based on the failure of democracy to display national unity. The dictators believe that freedom of peaceful assembly gives too many diverse opinions. On the surface, the nations living under dictatorships are strong and unified, but is is my opinion that the dictatorships are like false faces on Hallowe'eng the Fascist nations are not built upon unity, but upon fear of the power of the government, No one dares stand in front of an assembly and denounce the government. He would be immediately arrested on the pretext of insanity. lust think of all the societies we, as citizens of the United States, belong to. Each individual society has its own purpose and its own ideas on current problems. ln Germany, even labor unions are outlawed. The citizens have no way to protest against the treatment they receive. The workers are obliged to accept the conditions imposed by the dictatorships or else run the risk of landing in a concentration camp. ln the United States, when the presidential campaigns start, members of the leading parties spread propaganda every possible way. Speech after speech is delivered. Certain individuals believe in one man's plat- form, others believe in his opponent's platform. Everyone has a right to his own opinion, everyone has a right to voice his own opinion. Of course, this is not true in Germany, ltaly, Russia, and japan. You probably notice when the figures on the elections are published, that Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, and Hiranuma are elected by a decision of ninety- nine and a fraction per cent in favor, to a small per cent opposed. What happens to the small fraction who have courage enough to vote against the dictator? Your guess is as good as mine! I maintain that if an idea is so subversive that it cannot be talked about openly, it is not worthy of consideration. Probably the freedom most denied by Fascist and Communist governments is freedom of the press. l might start this paragraph by telling of a rather humorous situation in Italy, Mussolini does not like Mickey Mouse. He says that our beloved screen and comic character is a softy, and Mussolini, doesn't want his young Fascist followers to admire softies. l think in some cases that Mickey Mouse could influence the young Italians along better lines that does ll Duce. . So rigid is the censorship of the press in Germany, Russia, ltaly, and other totalitarian states, that the public is kept in complete darkness about things the government does not care to have them know.