Sunday Chicago bee. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1925-19??, 1941-05-04
Charting The American Way
BY AUBREY WILLIAMS

and respect for the rights of their
fellow human beings upon which
the existence Of self-governlng
community depends. They have
developed the spirit Of coopera-
ton which is needed in a democ-
racy both now and for the future.
Religious youth will recognize
that their religion hinges on the
way they conduct themselves in
their everyday life more than on
mere observance Of ritual on a
given day each week. I think
they will also recognize that the
same thing is true with our de-
mocracy. Our way Of life is no in
animate set of forms that can be
handed down from father to son
from generation to generation.
Our democracy is living and spl-
ritual force as well as form OF
s government. 1t is something that
we have to be concerned about
other than just on election day.
Those are general things. But
what about the specific things?
1t is easier to generalize than to
outline a specific blueprint for
action. And the things that |
am going to suggest are only a
few Of many alternatives. First
Of all, l want to point out that
you are going to have to approach
these problems with the idea Of
putting something Of yourself in
to the effort Of their solution, as
well as getting something out Of
it. You are going to have to give
OF your time, your energy, your
ideas, your money, and, for the
most part, you won't get many
thanks for your efforts. What
specifically can you do about bet
ter government? You can do
everything within your power to
see that every member of your
community is informed Of the
issues at stake and has the OPP
portunity to exercise the franchise
and participate in governmental
activity. This means work. 1t
means organization. It means ex-
ercising your freedom Of speech
and your right Of petition. It
means keeping fully informed
yourself. 1t means nominating
and electing to office candidates
who are trustworthy and who will
serve the interests of all of the
people rather than the interests
Of a few special interests.
What specifically can you do
to rid your community of its
slums-and there probably are
some in your communicated to
provide decent homes for your
fellow citizens? You can get the
facts on the housing situation in
your community-you can work
up some interest in getting some
thing done about it. There are
various agencies Of the govern
ment-federal, state, and local
that can help you. But remember
that it is you that is going to have
to carry the ball. When you per-
sona1ly would be willing to live
and raise your family in the
poorest house in your community
you can consider your job is
| done
What specifically can you do to
protect the rights Of labor in your
own community? The first thing
you can do is to get the truth a
bout labor and the labor organi-
cations in your community and,
for the most part, you will have
to go beyond the daily press to
do it. You can help your fellow
workers to organize and bargain
collectively and you can remem-
Ger that organization and collec-
] tive bargaining are rights and not
privileges.
What can you do specifically to
protect and to extend civil Hber-
ties? You can be on your guard
against public officers who over
step their lawful bounds. Be
vig.lant but not Vigilante. Obey
the law but remember that laws
are designed to serve the needs
i Of men and not the reverse.