The Fourth of July

[Editor's note: In July 1946, America was celebrating its recent victory in World War II, while also beginning its recovery from the trauma of that war. The July 5, 1946 issue of The Waitsburg Times featured an editorial written by its publisher at the time, Carl P Dilts. We bring it to you again, 68 years later.]

T he Declaration of Independence was the most important political document ever conceived for man's preservation. To secure freedom, the colonists fought for six long years, christening a new nation in blood. The American temper was for any struggle to accomplish independence. There were some men in 1770 who opposed the Declaration. Appeasement is not a recent development in man's argument with himself over peace and war. There will always exist prejudice, weakness, and disinterest, even to save a people from slavery.

Deprived of certain inalienable rights, loving freedom for themselves and wanting to secure it for their young, the thirteen colonies fought to preserve certain plain truths.

It is not old-fashioned of us to still believe in the sacred promise of life, liberty and happiness. It is not only past history where man must fight to achieve the opportunity to live as he chooses. Centuries will not erase a nation's greatness nor history books blot her page of greatness.

The symbol of our valiant endeavor is the American flag, of July 4th, oratory and firecrackers. The stars and stripes remain intact in their glory. The oratory is not as profuse as it used to be before the automobile took man on holidays away from the rotunda and platform. Many states have outlawed the firecracker as a menace, a firebrand in the hands of children. Oratory and firecrackers are not vital for a celebration since love of liberty comes from within each soul. We are rudely reminded, by looking upon helpless and hopeless peoples of this world, of what come when too many men lose that respect and honor of liberty. The masses suffer.

The upholding of government, the interest in its procedure, requires the attention of everyman governed by it. When this cultivation is ignored, is left unwatered by men, the plant dies. So, as they priced their glorious gift in 1776, let us continue to guard it, nurture it, and love it, as long as we have a United States of America!