Show r r. r c 2 C r. r Because America Has Been the Haven of Refuge to the Disinherited By SAMUEL WEST Prose Essay Denver Community Contest I became an American citizen for the opportunity t to b be a citizen o of the greatest republic in the world and to h help lp constitute gov government of the people by the people and for the people Because by hy becoming an American citizen I realized for the first time in my life that men are arc created equal equally Y y being endowed with the rights and privileges guaranteed by t the e Constitution of the United States to rich and poor alike Because it is ia a mark of distinction to be a citizen of a country w which ich has progressed more in science invention and industry in tho the one onehundred onehundred onehundred hundred and six forty-six years ears of its independence than any other country in the world Because America has always maintained that right is might is and has always been of service to the world maintaining that the badge of service is the badge of sovereignty Because America has bas been the haven of refuge to the disinherited the oppressed the suffering and the submerged i Because its symbols are the the law and torch ch Not the sword to threaten slaughter s Not the flame to dazzle and scorch But a light that the world may see see And the truth that shall set men free iree i t r c c nc r c r r r r cr c c r r r r r rT r r r r r 11 ry i. i |