CHAPTER XIX

THE HERITAGE OF AN AMERICAN CITIZEN

Our Inheritance of Citizenship. We all know persons who have received property by inheritance. Many of us may not expect an inheritance of property, but there is another kind of inheritance for each of us of greater value than we can know or estimate. That is the inheritance of American citizenship. Through our study of this book we have learned what it means to be an American citizen and that the privileges of American citizenship are the outgrowth of centuries of struggle. We have seen how representative government originated and have learned that through our national and state constitutions the fundamental elements of liberty and representative government are secured to the people.

Our government is a co-operative enterprise and if it is to be conducted in the interests of all the people, each individual must bear his part in an intelligent, honest and efficient manner. To do our part, to have and to enjoy the protection and privileges made secure by this government, is our inheritance as American citizens.

Our Intellectual Inheritance. Chief among the treasures of our inheritance is the wisdom of all the ages. The learning of the Egyptians, the Greeks, the Romans, the records of the monk in his monastery; the stories, poems, plays and historical records by the wisest men of all times are here available.

Knowledge is acquired through trial and experience. Once acquired it may be transmitted from one person to another and from one generation to the next. In very early times the only

way men could transmit knowledge was by the spoken word or by signs. The only way one generation could give knowledge to the next was to give it to the children who remembered it and in turn passed it on to the next generation. But after a long time, a system of writing was developed and knowledge could then be recorded and passed on. This was long, long ago and many generations of people have lived, discovered many things and recorded their experiences in writing. The Greeks studied and learned much. They wrote many poems, plays, histories and works on philosophy. The Romans through nearly a thousand years had a great government; they made and wrote many laws. Much of this written knowledge was kept in libraries and monastaries. For a thousand years after the great Roman state ceased to exist the scholars of Europe were keeping records and writing books. A short time before Columbus discovered America the printing press was invented. Books became cheaper and many more people could have them. For the past four hundred years the experiences of the human race have been written into books—and our government through its development of schools and libraries, and its guarantee of freedom of the press has placed this accumulation of the world's knowledge within the reach of every American. While we may choose only a part of this great wealth of learning, it is here for us to have and to enjoy if we will.

Our Religious Inheritance. Religion has been important in the development of civilization. Many kinds of religion have been developed by the human race. The countries from which our ancestors came once had state churches established by the government; all were required to belong to the same state church. Many came to America so they could worship God as they pleased. In the Constitution of the United States

we find the guarantee of religious freedom. Thus America has became the refuge of those persecuted because of religious beliefs and her citizens have access to all the leading churches.

The Bible with its teachings and our churches with their beautiful forms of worship may be called our religious inheritance. The American idea that all should be allowed to worship as they choose is now found in every civilized country. America led in bringing about religious freedom. This is one of the most valuable parts of the heritage of an American citizen.

Our Material Inheritance. We have the great natural resources of the American continent. Its rich soil, its great forests, its immense beds of coal, its precious metals, its useful minerals, its wells of oil, its waterways and its abundant supply of building materials give the people of America the greatest opportunity ever offered in the world's history to build great cities, to establish large industries, to make attractive homes-to become a contented, happy people.

The development of these resources has made possible great industries giving employment to millions. In no other country can so great a proportion of the people find work at reasonable wages, nowhere else in the world can so nearly all live in comfortable homes and have such an abundance of food.

Our Political Inheritance. Government in America has preserved and developed the best in civilization. You hold the key that unlocks the door to its enjoyment—American Citizenship. The Declaration of Independence made possible the heritage of the American citizen; the Constitution of the United States has long safeguarded this treasure and stands as a guarantee of its security. To keep this inheritance even more safe, the Constitutional Amendments and our state constitutions bar the way to its violation.

Representative government developed through centuries of struggle, plainly written into our constitutional law, made familiar by more than a hundred years of use, stands as a valuable gift from our fathers and gives to the American citizen a priceless heritage. Liberty under law, guarded by our Constitution, upheld by our courts, respected by our officials, and enjoyed by all is the American's political birthright.

The Inheritance of National Kinship. The principles for which Washington, Franklin, Jefferson and Lincoln stood have become a vital part of our national spirit. Courage in the face of difficulties, loyalty to truth, sympathy, honor, generosity, these interwoven with a love of country and a spirit of service are most precious, having been protected again and again by the achievement of the American soldier.

Clean and wholesome are the American ideals, free from superstition and oppression. The memory of national heroes, of great events of national history, together with the living, throbbing personalities of our great leaders reach into the most remote corners of our nation and are an inspiration to Americans everywhere.

Looking Forward. These inheritances are not to be hoarded; rather open wide the door that those less fortunate may share. They will gain a richer meaning if we pour their wealth into the hands of coming generations. Development of our waterways, extension of our railroads, the education of our people, the conservation of our natural resources and human life can have only one result-a richer, happier land.

As unselfish service throughout the ages has created these treasures and kept them secure for us, so must we, through a life of active, unselfish service to our community and to our nation, keep these treasures safe-for the America that is yet to be.

Suggested Activities.

1. (a) Study the following quotations and express in writing what each one means to you. (b) Memorize the one you like best.

"Citizens, by birth or choice, of a common country, that country has a right to concentrate your affections. The name of American, which belongs to you in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of patriotism. Respect for the authority of this government, compliance with its laws, acquiescence in its measures, are duties enjoined by the fundamental maxims of true liberty."

-George Washington.

"Let every American, every lover of liberty, every well-wisher to his posterity swear by the blood of the Revolution never to violate in the least particular the laws of the country, and never to tolerate their violation by others. As the 'patriots of seventy-six' did to the support of the Declaration of Independence, so to the support of the Constitution and laws let every American pledge his life, his liberty and his sacred honor." -Abraham Lincoln.

"We Americans can only do our allotted task well if we face it steadily and bravely, seeing but not fearing the dangers. Above all we must stand shoulder to shoulder, not asking as to the ancestry or creed of our comrades, but only demanding that they be in truth Americans, and that we all work together, heart, hand and head, for the honor and the greatness of our common country."

-Theodore Roosevelt.

2. The following rules showing proper respect for the flag are taken from the Boy Scout Manual:

I. It should not be hoisted before sunrise or allowed to remain up after sunset.

II. At “retreat" sunset, civilian spectators should stand at attention and on the last four strains of the music uncover, holding the headdress top outward, in the right hand, opposite the left shoulder, right forearm against the breast.

III. When the national colors are passing on parade, or review, the spectators should, if walking, halt, and if sitting, rise and stand at attention and uncover.

IV. When the flag is flown at half staff as a sign of mourning it should be hoisted to full staff at the conclusion of the funeral. In placing the flag at half mast, it should first be hoisted to the top of