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Show J A Pledge of Citizenship j By RUTH TAYLOR I Citizenship is not a common-j ; pk.e? to be taken lor granted. j lit is a badge of honor a priz? ! I for which to strive, to be earned I day in and day out, net to be j remembered only at election days, j Many communities are realizing j this and are xpr;s.sing the solemnly sol-emnly of inauguration day by using the oath which was taken centuries ago by the young men of Athens when they became of age. In this time of war, when like th? Athenians of old, we are fighting against the savage barbarian bar-barian to preserve a democratic way of life, this oath should not only he made by those about to take office but by every one of us. Let us repeat it together. "We will never bring disgrace to our city by any act of dishonesty dishon-esty or cowardice, nor ever desert de-sert our suffering comrades in the ranks." That is, we will be honest and courageous in all our dealings with our fellow men, regardless of class, race, creed, or color. We will not shirk we will work and f.ght and pray for 'the good of the whole nation and we will not allow prejudice or intolerance to deter us in any way from our task. "We will fight for our ideals and sacred things of the city, both alone and with many.'' That is, while we fight the enemy without with all our force, we will ke-ep alive the spirit of democracy de-mocracy and freedom for all, which is the guiding light of our republic. We will not compromise our ideals. "We will revere and obey the city's laws and do our best to incite a like respect and reverence in those about us who are prone to annul them and set them at naught." That is, we will not only keep the laws of our community com-munity in the letter of the word, but in the spirit as well. We will keep our community free from subvejiive influences which attempt at-tempt mental sabotage against our institutions and ideals, and we will teach to the younger generation genera-tion reverence for the high principles prin-ciples which govern our Constitution Constitu-tion and which guide us as a nation. "We will strive unceasingly to quicken the public's sense of civic duty." That is, we, by taking our part in all activities for the preservation" pres-ervation" and protection of the community, will act as an example exam-ple to others, encouraging them to join in work not for themselves alone, but for all our people. "And thus, in all these ways, we will strive to transmit this city not less but greater, better and more beautiful than it was transmitted trans-mitted to us." Our duties as citizens citi-zens are not noly t oourselves and our neighbors, our community and or nation, but those who follow. fol-low. The only way we can pay our debt to those who bequeathed to us a free way of life is to pass on to subsequent . generations a free nation, united in devotion to the cause of liberty, better and more beautiful because of that unity. Thus it came to us. |
