Wells River High School - Chatterbox Yearbook (Wells River, VT)

Page 19 text:

I meet with competition; in my town, school and in lat- er life, business. I can follow whatever lifework I am able. To me is left the finding of my own happiness and satisfaction in life. In ray own way, as time goes on, I can establish a sense of values and opinions. The unabounding privileges, some of which I have set down above, are the essence of our democracy. In what other country is there such a system of free enterprise, as in our United States? In what country is there a more creative, progressive people? To ray knowledge, there is not a country in the world of today under a governmental procedure, democracy exclud- ed, which has developed and thrived as our America. Though I believe and feel assured of this, I may judge, evaluate and compare other countries to mine; not dis- paragingly, but with a feeling of pride in the American way of life. Therefore I shall uphold it, express my appreciation of it, and do my part to make the heritage of my grandchildren as great. Outwardly I pledge alle- gience to my land and am extremely glad I am under her governmental vestige. Deep in ray heart, similar thoughts to those in the song by Irving Berlin express themselves: God bless America Land that I love, Stand beside her and quide her Through the night, by'the light from above. Connie Egner 1955

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I SPEAK FOR DEMOCRACY No form of government can ever survive long if it doesn’t maintain a restraining influence , suffi- ciently strong and respected to protect individuals in their relations with one another and to protect the whole society from outside interference. The govern- ment must define limits of personal liberty and set bounds within which individuals may enjoy it, without infringing on the rights of others. The form of gov- ernment, which has been the most successful in achiev- ing near-perfection of these fundamental requirements is a democracy, and more specifically, the democracy of the United States of America. A democracy is government in which supreme power is retained by the people and exercised through a sys- tem of representation. I think that, without a doubt, the strength, the efficiency and the endurance of our democratic America is due largely to the colonists, who emigrated to our continent and fought hardships and in- justices throughout their lives, so that freedom might be theirs. I speak for democracy! In what other country could I have had so rich a heritage, such opportunities and such anticipation for the future? The answer is very evident in my mind—no where. Through the years no one people, race, or sect has held sway over my country or government. The stage we have reached now is to the credit or discredit of no one governing body, that has been too long in power. Every nationality, with its own particular customs, habits, ideas and ways of life, has been melted into the people from which the American had evolved. And, because I am an American, I live under common conditions with, and obey the same basic laws as any other American. Yet my individual background gives me differences of customs, habits and preference. I choose this democratic way of life because I can learn about life for myself. I can follow the ex- amples of the sage and experienced, or I can go out and make my own path and learn through my mistakes. I can choose which political party I shall belong to; yet I can vote for a man from an opposing party if I feel he is the better choice. This I can do freely and secret- ly, just as I can exercise my other freedoms which have been provided for in the constitution. Can the Fascist or Communist? In our free land I can worship as my faith dictates and when and where. I can uphold my be- liefs and meet little or no conflict. All through life

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Rosemary Basch Basch Future Marriage She came, she smiled, she conquered. Gordon Howard Boomhower Boo Future Undecid Why can't they all be contented like me —10—