The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1918-07-03
Splendid ADDRESSES
DELIVERED AT RECENT
COMMENCEMENT


The following valedictory by @.
Edward Johnson. valedictorian of the
class of 1918, was delivered by the
young man at the commencement ex-
ercises, Wednesday night:
Parents and Friends:
The president has declared that
our aim in this war is Ito make the
world safe for democracy" 1t is a
contest between democracy and au-
tocracy. The fate of the govern
ments of the people, by the people
and for the people hangs in the bal
ance. We are fighting for the de-
mocrac es Of the world and are sacri-
ficing that they may live.
But what is democracy and of
what Importance is education in one?
Our first conception of democratic
government is the liberty and oppor-
tunity which its citizens possess. To
US it means the liberty for which our
forefathers so bravely fought in 1776.
1t stands Tor freedom for the individ-
ual--free speech and freedom of re-
ligion. Castles, feudalism and those
who believe IN the divine right of
kings have no place In democracy.
They are antagonistic to its principles
of liberty and equality. Individual
liberty depends upon that of nations.
The nation cannot be- subject to a
fore gn power if its citizens are to
retain their liberty.
Our forefathers when they framed
live declared that this nation is "ded-
icated to the. proposition that all are
created equal" Each citizen is sub
ject to the same laws and each en-
joys the same priv leges. Nations
who declare that all men are equal,
on one hand and treat their weaker
neighbors wrongfully on the other
hand, are not true democracies. The
rights of the small nations are just
as sacred as those of their more
powerful neighbors. We are fight
ing today to justify this principle
to prove its force to Germany.
The people are the rulers in a
democracy. Each c tizen has his
vote with which he determines who
shall make and execute the laws
Public opinion has a great deal of in
fiuence in forming the laws, and each
man, through his vote, may say
which ones shall be enacted. The
power of government is vested in the
people and what the government does
depends upon the pc ple.
Before we decide of what import.
ance to a democracy is education, lei
us ask what is education?
| Education consists of a series OF
instruction and discipline which is in.
tended not only to enlighten the
mind but to train it to think and the
will to act. Education means Il
lead out that is to train and develop
the student for future usefulness. Ii
high school the students are brought
/ together with the common purpose
to acquire an education. Here We
have a small decmoracy-all hav,
equal opportunities for advancement
and all are governed by the same rules
Here, too, each student, through con
tact with his fellow students, i,
learning the art of living. He is &C
quiring the ability to live among PEG
pie through which comes harmony il
the home. the community and tn,
country.
The art of thinking is another O.
the lessons taught in school. Know
ledge is of little value unless it cal
be used Through thought facts ar
connected and relationships are seen
A wide knowledge enables US to thinl
in greater terms.
When these two lessons have bee
learned well, the student has ais
learned how to live in democrac
and be part of one. He obeys hi
country's laws, not only because the
are laws, but because he sees tn
justice in them. AS a member of
democracy he knows that every la,
! which is for the common good is hi
and for his good.
Besides having a duty to obey hi
nations commands, he must see ths
, it is both duty and a privilege
help make these laws. The right c
suffrage for the common people an
. the consideration gwen the popula
will distinguishes democracy frol
other governments. Each citizen {
: democracy has his vote with whic
he chooses his officials and guides til
! course of his country.
Since the people, through the
votes are to rule in democracy, it !.
evident that they must know how
use their votes wisely and for I'll
common good. To teach them this !.
one of the great purposes of educ;
kton in America. Our forefathel
r realized the Importance of educatio
to the future of our country whe
they established our great system (
) free schools. They saw that govern
ment was safe only in the hands {
free educated people.
Today we see the results of the
: foresight and realize how great
part education has in democracy. w
have seen educated pepplesI rui