The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1935-07-03
NEWSPAPERS OPINION
FREEDOM

Shall we lay aside the form of government that
has made us great people? Shall we abandon tn"
ideals that made this nation expand almost like an
overnight mushroom? Throughout all the worlds
history there has never been such miraculous
growth in civilized nation that which we have
enjoyed. And though there may have been radical
changes, there may have appeared unlimited COM
plications vet the general principles back of do
mocracy that creates free men cannot change; they
are as rigidy fixed as the Rock of Gibraltar.
Our pioneer ancestors determined to be
free men, They wanted the privilege of guiding
their own destiny of forming their own govern
ment of living their lives i'll accordance with
the dictates of their consciences and intelligence
And they valued their citizenship, the Constitu
tional rights delegated to them. AS citizens they
were far better informed about their government
than we are today We were born into it. 1t has
come to us through inheritance And like the idle
shiftless sons of rich men, having made no sacri-
fees for our liberties, we value them lightly. And
perhaps much of the freedom enjoy may
be lost before we awaken to the dangers that now
confront US. "" ...
Thomas jefferson an idol at that time phiioso-
pher and statesman; Benjamin Franklin great
genius, a man whose breadth of understanding
would be difficult to equal even today; their out
standing abilities were the products of pioneer
hardship Emergencies that grim and heart
rending faced them frequently. And it was the
bitter struggle they had to endure that developed
the extraordinary characteristics essential to lead
ership at that time. .'
But now we are trying to make everything easy
for ourselves We have yet to learn that character
and ability are acquired only through treless eff
forts that we refer to as hard work-that the more
difficulties we encounter the hazardous situa
tics we have to surmount, the more efficient we
finally become. Ed" ..''' ..'. .'....' '. ..
The demand that we find everywhere at the pres
ent time for the easy life, the inclination to protect
ourselves from the necessity of struggling for
livelihood may be helpful to our citizens for the
time being: immediate suffering and sorrow may
be avoided. But nearly every great character, and
there are but few exceptions, is product of tire
less work. often compelled to endure suffering from
hunger and cold through prolonged periods.
There is nothing quite equal to tortured soul
to stimulate mental activity 1t compels us to
search for substantial and dependable means Of
making life easier. By surmounting difficulties, by
climbing hills, we are ultimately able to CLIMB
mountains.
But the freedom that made us great people,
the fundamental principles that were developed,
that began to take substantial form in july ITS,
founded democracy that stands without an equal
throughout the entire history of the civilized world
And if there is any manhood left in US, we will
fight for the principles that it has maintained Bit
terly and grimly with rigid determination that
will be unyieldng to the very end of life itself
Liberty Magazine.