The Daily Alaska empire., 1941-12-15

ation We must meet the challenge with not politi- cal alarm but force of arms
 Well won those freedoms by fighting for themi Why not protect them the same way?
 lot of mechanical water has run over the dam of civilization since those shots were fired by the minute-men of Lexington and Concord This battle in which we are now engaged is fought with mechanical monsters more than men with arms but the basic situation is the same. Our right to live our own lives is being challenged and we must and WILL meet that challenge to maintain our Ameri- can way of life
 We feel the most complete expression of what this day should mean to us is embodied in the proc lanlation of President Roosevelt made before war declared setting aside December Is as Bill of Rights Day" Here it is:
 Whereas a joint resolution of the Congress approved August 2l l94l authorizes requests the President of the United States to issue proclama- tion designating December IS. 1941 as Bill of Rights Day calling upon officials of the government to display the flag of the United States on all govern of the United States to observe the day with appro- piiate ceremonies and prayer:
 Now, therefore, l. Franklin D. Roosevelt Presi- dent of the United States of America, do hereby designate December IS, 1941, as bill of rights day. And call upon the officials of the government. and upon the people of the United States to observe the day by displaying the flag of the United States on public buildings and by meeting together for such prayer and ceremonies may seem to them ap- propriate.
 The first ten amendments the great American charter of personal liberty and human dignity be- part of the constitution of the United States on the 18th day of December, 1791
 Tt is fitting that the anniversary of it's adoption should be remembered bV the nation which years, has enjoyed the immeasurabe privileges which that charter guaranteed: The privileges of freedom of religion, freedom of speech freedom of the press, freedom of assembly and the free right to petition the for redress of grievances
 Tt is especially fitting that this anniversary should be remembered and observed by those nsti- tutions of a democratic people which their very existence to the guarantees of the bill rights: The free schools the free churches the labor unions the religious and educational and civic organizations of all kinds which, without the guarantee of the bill of rights could never have existed which sicken and disappear whenever in any country, these rights are curtailed withdrawn.
 "The 18th day of December, 1941 is therefore set apart day Of mobilization for freedom and for human rights. day of remembrance of the democratic and peaceful action by which these rights were gained day of reassessment of their present meaning and their living worth
 Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them They in time to take these rights for granted and to assume their protection is Sured. We. however, who have seen these privileges lost in other continents and other countries appreciate their meaning to those people who enjoyed them once and now longer can. We understand in some measures what their loss mean And by that realization have come to a clearer ception of their worth to us and to stronger and more unalterabe determination that here in our land they shall not be lost weakened or curtaled
 Tt is to give public expression and outward form to that understanding and that determination that we are about to commemorate the adoption of the bill rights and rededcate its principles and its practice.