Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1961-05-20
The SPACE
GENERATION
JOSEPH F. ALBRIGHT.
Staff Correspondent


Last Sunday was deeply moved
by an experience which DRAMATIC
ed the talents of our young people
at their level best. The occasion
was the annual oratorical contest
sponsored by the Fourth District
Of the Improved, Benevolent and
Protective Order of Elks of the
World.
The contestants lovely, tai
ented young women representing
Lodges from Canton, Natchez,.
Vicksburg and jackson held
the audience spellbound with their
splendid presentations. Addressing
themselves to the subject Of Con-
stitutional rights and citizenship
responsibilities, each, in turn,
made truly impressive orations.
There was no doubt whatsoever as
to their sincerity and dedication.
Sometimes we become so en-
crossed with problems and trivia
of our day-to-day living that we
forget or fail to fully appreciate
the ever present blessings with
which we are endowed by our heri-
tage as American citizens. This
heritage has been sustained at a
fearful cost in the hallowed coins
of sacrifice and agony. If one
should need any proof of this,
suggest that he or she visit the
nearest Veterans Administration
hospital, or walk down the long
lanes between the graves of the
patriots lying at rest in any of
our National Cemeteries all over
the world. We and when /
say eve" l mean every one of US,
whoever we might be shall
have committed one of the most
inexcuseable follies in history if
we fail - for any reason whatso-
ever - to live in accord with this
priceless inheritance.
Patriotism involves far more
than the waving of the flag and
the preachment of loyalty plati-
tudes. 1t will have no benefit eff
feet upon the welfare of our coun-
try unless it is underwritten with
genuine expressions of brother
hood and profound sense of duty.
Jesus said that we must render
unto Caesar the things that are
Caesars, and unto God the things
that are Gods" Centuries later
Daniel Webster said that which
made man a Christian also made
him a good citizen. The wisdom
of these two statements is too
self evident to admit rebuttal.
The young women participating
in the oratorical contest are men,
bers of what is being often refer
red to AS "the space generation.
They will be the explorers of the
outer environs upon which man
looked until a short time ago as
being forever beyond his ability to
fathom. The scientific accomp-
lishments in their lifetimes would
stagger the imagination of most
of us.
But, says the Scriptures, what
will it avail man to gain the
whole world and then lose his
soul? What, indeed, will it profit
the space generation to conquer
space and not be able to live in
peace among themselves? / lis
tened to a moving sermon in Chi
cago not long ago wherein the
pastor a learned and highly
respected member of the clergy
}. in dwelling on these posi-
bilities warned that the space gen.
Grafton could well be the finest
in history, or it could be the last
for unlocking the awesome pow
er of nature for mankind could
mean his oblivion unless those who
controlled those forces walked hand
in hand with righteousness and
justice.
America is the last hope of free
men everywhere. That mantle of
destiny falls over the shoulders of
our young men and women with
increasing responsibility. AS they
steadily take over the reins of
leadership, let US show them by
precept and example that the
plateau of ultimate salvation lies
but in one direction: Thou shalt
have no God before me, AND thou
shalt love thy neighbor as thy
self"