Show True Freedom Depends on Your Actions Editors Editor's note The following was submitted Nov 28 1959 by Juvenile Judge Merrill 1 L. L Hermansen Hermansen Hermansen Her- Her mansen of Ephraim but was not at that time due to a alack alack alack lack of space It was kept however however however how how- ever to be published prior to Thanksgiving this year in the hope it Wi will l give readers a feeling feeling feeling feel feel- ing of greater gratitude and a greater sense of responsibility Judge Hermansen's comments are published both before and after the editorial written by an inmate of the State Industrial School I submit the editorial from the SIS News which is the school paper of the State In Industrial Industrial Industrial In- In School at Ogden This editorial was written by the editor who is an inmate at the sch school ol The first Thanksgiving was held by the early Pilgrims years ago Since then millions of our people have celebrated this annual event giving thanks for all their bounteous blessings Especially Es Especially Especially Es- Es has thanks for freedom risen from the lips of the American Ameri Amen can can people We Ve are indeed blessed with a great heritage that has a great responsibility attached to it President Lincoln greatly sensed this when he instituted th the na national national national na- na observance of ing Day Mr 11 Lincoln also knew that this freedom could only be maintained by a dedicated people people people peo peo- dedicated to the cause of truth and righteousness Are we wc really free to do anythIng anything anything any any- thing we want to do Is this what the caly enly of this country intended when they formed its foundation Is it possible possible possible pos pos- sible to be living in a land of freedom and still be in bondage During the last World War J J. J Edgar Hoover said What we need in America today today today to to- to- to day is to return to the God of our fathers The founders of our constitution believed in the living living living liv liv- ing God as we do The country is in deadly peril We Ve can win the war and yet lose freedom for all in America for a creepIng creeping creeping creep creep- ing rot of moral disintegration is seeping into the naton In a sense we are only free when we do those things we ought to do No one is immune from this universal law If you do something wrong you put yourself in bondage For ex example example example ex- ex ample if you have a habit of smoking or drinking you are not nota a free person you are arc in bondage bondage bondage bond bond- age to nicotine or alcohol If you cant can't control your anger you are subject to your emotions If you overeat you are a slave to your appetite If you neck or pet you are a slave to your passions If you are unkind or mean to others you arc are in bondage to selfishness and ignorance And so on As we celebrate Thanksgiving this year let us strive to do the things which will give us both national and individual free free- dom Some might not be impressed If this editorial appeared in a regular paper even though it has much merit but I am particularly particular particular- ly impressed that this is a product product product pro pro- duct from the Utah State In Industrial Industrial Industrial In- In School Isn't it obvious that it is worth while to work to conserve and preserve our hu human human human hu- hu man resources |