The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1951-06-28

in the early days between the
white man and the red mar
have been resolved. This beau
tiful monument, that comment
crates brave deeds, is not for
the purpose therefore of per-
petuating the causes of strife
and war. Rather it is a symbol
of the spiritual strength and
of the sacrifices made by the
white men as well as the red
men who participated in the
historic battle. The story of the
Little Big Horn remains an i'm
portant segment of the Ameri-
can saga in which every race
and creed have had a part.
Those of us who have sur
vived the holocaust of World
War II must keep faith with
that ghostly assemblage of men
and women who died in the
battle of Little Big Horn, as
well as in World war I and ii,
and those who are now dying
in Korea to preserve the free
domS they cherish, the same
freedoms you and / enjoy today.
Our war dead plead with mute
voices, they entreat with unSee-
ing eyes, that we should remain
steadfast in our defense Of de-
cency, Justice and individual
freedoms.
We won World war II, mill
tarily at least, and at a tire
mendous cost in lives and trea-
sure. It is only natural that
veterans, in fact all true Amer
leans, should now devote at
tention and effort to the solu-
ton of world problems. All of
us are determined to find ways
and means of preserving peace.
Not peace at any price, but
peace with honor. We Ameri-
cans want security, economic
and military security, but not
at the expense of liberties. The
Russian people have security.
Their lords and masters in the
Kremlin are maintaining a
tremendous military force. A
tightly controlled economy in
SureS food and shelter such as
it is. All of this, however, is at
tanned through rigid controls
of a police state wherein the in
dividual is completely subordi-
mated to the whims of power
drunk leaders. To a limited de-
gree, military and economic Sc
curity art provided in Soviet
Russia, but the minds and
bodies of the people are en-
shaved.
There are now 60 countries
operating under various forms
of government in the family
of united nations. Many of
them convey their thoughts in
languages unknown to others.
Political, economic and social
structures are often radically
different. Yet science has so
contracted time and space that
we Americans live in close prox-
unity to all of these divergent
peoples. Events transpiring in
Iran and Korea are Of definite
concern to our security and lib
critics. China Russia and Ar
gentina are neighbors. Most
nations, like our own, will con-
form to established laws and
procedures and will adhere
faithfully to solemn promises
and commitments. A few, par
ticularly totalitarian govern
ments with INSCRIPTIONS lead
ers, may be expected to violate
International laws and agree
ments, making it mandatory
that we maintain appropriate
military forces to restrain their
bullying tactics within the IA
mily Of nations.
The principles of democracy
have been subjected to the Sc
verest tests not only in America,
but in other parts of the world.
The most effective contribution
that you and I can make to-
ward lasting world peace and
the continuation of our way of
life, is to insure that we keep
alive the principles of true de-.
mocracy at home. We must re-
Sist those developments in our
economic and social structures
that permit the government to
assume responsibilities belonging
to each Individual. We must
not barter traditional American
initiative for a form of security
that would destroy the moral
fiber of a virile and productive
people and likewise jeopardize
individual liberties. One hears
so often, too often in my opin-
ion, claims to personal rights.
We should emphasize instead
personal responsibilities as
American citizens and de-
emphasize personal rights or
claims for special privilege. For
instance, one of the most i'm
portant, almost sacred arespon-
SibilitieS of citizens in this re-
public, is to participate con-
tinuouSly and intelligently in
national and international af-
fairs. It is our duty to visit the
polls and to- vote for individuals
of character and ability and
for proposals that are designed
to protect traditional American
liberties. I repeat, our republic
can endure only if we the
people participate actively in
the government. In the elections
last November only 40 million
out of 95 million eligible citi-
zens exercised their right and
obligation to vote. Such apathy
can and mllst be replaced by
realistic interest and enthusiast
tic interest to exercise all duties