Vestnik 1965 10 13

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Official Organ Of The Slavonic Benevolent Order Of The State Of Texas. Founded 1897. BENEVOLENCE

VOLUME 53 — NO. 41

HUMANITY

BROTHERHOOD

Postmaster: Please Send Form 3579 with Undeliverable Copies to: SUPREME LODGE, SPJST, P. 0. Box 100, TEMPLE, TEXAS

OCTOBER 13, 1965

FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK PATRIOTISM Patriotism. Much has been written and said about it. Everyone pretty well agrees that it consists of a great deal more than just waving the flag and standing up when the "Star Spangled Banner" is played or sung. In America, we like to describe our patriotism as the non-demonstrative variety, the subdued kind, with little or no real nationalistic overtones which have so often characterized that of some European countries. Nonetheless, patriotism IS a part of citizenship, but only a part. When we examine America's past and present laws and customs, we discover that the substance of citizenship is a balance of RIGHTS and RESPONSIBILITIES. This same balance of privileges and duties was the foundation upon which this great republic of ours was established and out of which our governmental system evolved. It was the means by which freedom of thought and action became the cornerstone of our democracy, and it is the only means by which fredom can be preserved. • • Entirely too much is being voiced these days about rights, and not quite enough about duties and responsibilities. This task lies with the people themselves, its citizens. Individually and collectively, they have shaped the destiny of our nation's past and they will do so in the future. If you doubt

THE AMERICAN CREED I believe in the United States of America as a Government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; a democracy in a republic, a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect Union one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes. I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it, to support its Constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies. —Written by William Tyler Page, Clerk of the House of Representatives, in 1917; accepted by the House on behalf of the American people, April 3, 1918. the importance of one person's actions, consider just one facet of our duties as citizens: voting in free elections. The power of one vote has been demonstrated time and again. In 1884, for example, less than one vote per precinct in the State of New York would have elected James G. Blaine over Grover Cleveland as President of the United ;States. If one more backer of Charles Evan Hughes had gone to the polls in each precinct in Cali-

fornia, Woodrow Wilson would not have been elected. One vote in the Senate of the United States decided the fate of then President Andrew Johnson and spared him the fate of being the only U.S. President removed from office. There are many other examples of the importance of just that one vote. •

Every citizen has an obligation to himself, his community, his state, and nation to be informed on important issues. Only through informed opinion can we take a wise course Of action. Sometimes it is hard to separate fact from fiction, but as responsible citizens, we must constantly seek the truth. Also, as citizens, we should take an active part in our community affairs, religious, civic, and cultural. We should do Om part to encourage law enforcement and the prevention of crime and delinquency — of all kinds. We should work to tree the community of those influences that weaken and degrade the lives of decent citizens. Citizenship affords us many RIGHTS. We must be ever mindful that they can be preserved and enjoyed only by exercising our RESPONSIBILITIES. • • On August 1st, auto insurance rates in Texas went up 13.4 per cent on a Statewide average. Every insured motorist and every auto insurance firm was affected. The hike in rates caused much concern. Most of us have accepted it, but a lot of people are still very


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