Milford chronicle., 1960-07-01
OUR NATIONAL PURPOSE


From the intellectuals and deeper think
ers among us comes call for clear thinking
and dedication to a purpose. Generally speak
ing the main theme of most of the thinkers
of the moment is that the United States
must develop more of purpose in today's
world than our leadership has exhibited in
the postwar years.
That is to say, in this line of philosophy
that we must have national goal, national
aspiration as a people-if we are to go on
to achieve greater and better things for the
individual, and remain the leading nation in
the world in so many ways.
1t is an accepted fact that our country
was founded on the principle of a great pur-
pose-liberty for colonies being taxed with
out representation. And our goals were
many and uniquely high-minded. We were
a home for those seeking freedom from re-
igiOuS prosecutions by the Catholics and
others (and we sometimes established our
own forms of persecution once we escaped
the European Variety, we were home for
the poor and the under privileged, who were
held down both socially and economically, in
their native country.
We were the example to all the world
OF country where immigrants came and en-
joyed equal opportunity religious and per-
sOnal freedom, and became good and wealthy
citizens in the New World. This was our
purpose, and we grew into the strongest
country in the world playing this role and
serving this purpose.
s But now our country has arrived. We
are the most prosperous people on earth
Gone is much of the zeal and pioneer spirit
and dedication of the earlier eras And yet
we have developed no outstanding culture
of our own. In the way of the arts and music
and intellectuals our product has been meag
er and disappointing.
We export mainly trash. Our country is
Uttered with ugly sights and examples of
materialiSm We are STILL comparatively a
brash and crude people-in the way of civil
izations and cultures as judged in some of
the European countries. In short, we do need
a national purpose, dedication to some
thing inspirational.
Some believe the United States new dedi-
cation must be to lead the world to better
life, to help the various nations of the world,
to establish freedom and even justice for
peoples everywhere, as best we can. In this
approach one includes the necessity of MAX
ing democracy work, of making it triumph
over the communist economic and social
challenge.
1t is challenging thought and one which
every citizen must carefully consider. For
we in the United States do appear to be in
search of goal, in need of dynamic leader
ship and in need of a national purpose. 1t
is not enough just to be against communism.
:. 1t. need not be, necessarily, an interna-
tionalistic thesis which we seek to execute.
We might utilize our vast resources and ener-
gy in perfecting our own civilization and
culture and working out better social and
economic systems under which to live and
enjoy life.
But there must be passionate devotion
to some cause on our part or we will almost
surely lose the battle which now envelopes
us on all sides. What shall be the new ma
tional purpose? What shall be our course
of action in the world in the next few dec
ades? What do we seek to achieve, positively,
to take the initiative from the communists in
the shaping of a better and safe world?
This is the question of the era, and it is
one which every thinking citizen must pom
der. How we answer it. as nation, will de-
termine our graph of influence and progress
on the world as whole. For we have enjoyed
rich and inspirational past as a nation, a
nation with burning goal and dedication
Today chat vigor and enthusiasm and pass
ion-for better world and our determine
tion to make one-seems to be on the wane
NSS@(@
JULY
The month of July takes its name from
julius Caesar. 1t contains many historic
American anniversaries Independence Day
on the 4th, the anniversary of the Battle of
GeLIySDurg on the lSC, Znd, ana sra, etc.
Calvin Coolidge was born on the 4th, in
1872, at Plymouth, Vermont The first adj
miral in the U. S. Navy, David G. Farragut
was born at Knoxville, Tennessee, on July
9Th, 1901. The Republican Party was found
ed July 6, 1854, at Jackson, Michigan.
John D. Rockefeller was born July 9th,
1889. John Quincy Adams, sixth u. S. Pres
ident, was born July 18th, 1857, at Quincy,
Massachusetts, Nathan B. Forrest was born
IN holl Tr.1x
1921. And John Paul Jones was born in Scot
land July 18th, 1747.
July is the month of full-bloom summer,
or midsummer. After July, it is apparent,
even in hot August, that summer is running
out. 1t is the month of vacations, holidays,
swimming and outdoor pleasures, and then
memories of summer and beautiful days and
nights-memories for winter.
July is month to enjoy as well as an
historic one 60 aninv If