Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-06-20

results in a war for liberty! Living
democracy
Patriotism, sacrifice and love OF
country have made America the ma
tive home of liberty, the land of the
| free.
Patriots created and carried out the
laws of the people, by the people and
for the people. Patriotism wove the
flag of our nation with its stripes OF
valor and purity and its stars CLEAN
ing from a field of truth. Patriotism
reunited the union torn apart in a
great civil war, once more made our
country one and inseparable, and
made every inhabitant upon its soil a
free man. Patriotism gave to our
nation the respect of all the world.
Not only in war can this virtue be
shown, but at all times and in all
places. Each Aemrican citizen can
be patriot in his own way.
To obey the laws of the country;
to vote in way which will secure
the most efficient and most responsible
men to manage our government, men
who will do their utmost to preserve
and carry out those principles Of lib
erty for which their ancestors fought
and gave their lives; to arm against
the evils of corruption, immoral
society, dishonesty, and intemperance
to encourage education; to uphold re-
ligion; and to promote industry; all
these are the duties of a patriot.
The farmer who carefully tills the
soil that the soldiers and people of the
cities may have that food which is
necessary to life, is a patriot. The
teachers who educate the children,
thus making them fit to be the future
citizens and rulers of the nation, are
patriots. The women who stay at
home and carry on the work of the
men who are sacrificing their lives
for the honor of their country, and
the families who sacrifice their sons,
brothers, or fathers for their country,
are patriots. The man who stands by
his employer and does everything
within his power to make his business
better or more profitable, is a patriot.
The citizen who helps to make his
town more beautiful to improve its
conditions in any way, is a patriot.
The school boy or girl who brings
honor in athletics, oratory, debating,
or scholarship to his or her school,
is a patriot. The student who plods
along day by day, who does his work
to the best of his ability, yet wins no
honor, is likewise a patriot. The
patriots who win public recognition
are few; anyone who helps to better
his country in any way, no matter
how small the deed, is a patriot.
Thus we see every form or condi-
ton of life depends upon patriotism.
Every form of society is uplifted,
purified, and improved by each citizen
who will do his part as a patriot.
Without patriotism there could be no
nation; without the giving of life's
blood there would be no history; with
out loyalty and love for country
there would be no freedom, no liberty,
no government "of the people, and
for the people," no Star Spangled Ban
ner whose cleaning stars symbolic
forty-eight states linked together in
common love for country, liberty, and
freedom; without patriotism there
would be no true religion, no society
free from corruption and immortality,
no desire to elevate and uphold the
principles for which our country
stands, no approach toward perfec-
ton, and no loyalty to that which is
pure and right.
Thus it may be concluded that
patriotism is of more value than gold
industry. When patriotism is taken
away, the very soul of the nation is
crushed.
Patriotism's greatest and most
cherished donation to the world is
liberty. America is liberty's native
home "Sail on o Ship of STATED"
for enthroned in thy bosom is the
fair goddess of liberty, holding in
her hands the destinies and hopes of
nations and men. Sail on o Ship, un-
daunted and imperishable through the
storms and over the pillows and ever
guard thy sacred passenger!
We, the clals of 1917, wish to
thank the parents for their sacrifices
which have enabled us to complete our
high school life and to receive the
benefits which the public schools of
this nation have in store for US. Four
long years have we, as graduates,
looked forward to this commence
ment night Also we wish to thank
the teachers whose patience and en-
enlargement have made our high
school life one which we shall be glad
to remember and have made this long
ed for night a reality. To the mem
bers of the school board we extend
our appreciation of their excellent adj
ministration which has made this in
stitution one from which we are proud
to graduate.
To My Classmates:
Tonight we are together for per-
haps the last time. Tomorrow we
shall no longer be members of the
Senior class in high school, but mem
bers of the Freshman class in the
world of industry and service. To-
night we finish one life; tomorrow we
shall begin another.
We as Senior class have adopted
as our motto: Impossible Is I'M
American" Let us always remember
that motto and live up to it through
out our lives, conquering everything
which at first seems impossible.
Through all the ages, heroes have
triumphed over difficulties. Let US
follow their examples and reap their
rewards. Let us guide our lives
through a straight path, pass safely
between temptations which shall face