William Beaumont86 Fountainebleau Drive, New Orleans, Louisiana 70125–3443
William Beaumont
86 Fountainebleau Drive, New Orleans, Louisiana 70125–3443
America has in abundance two of humanity's scarcest commodities, liberty and opportunity.
Being citizens of this fine country and hearing its familiar songs resound proudly from the throats of Americans whose ancestors came from every land and clime reminds us that what those immigrants sought are among humanity's scarcest commodities—liberty and opportunity.
Seeking a new life, the newcomers, many of them oppressed by their own countries, arrived with scarcely more than the dreams they harbored in their hearts and the clothing they wore on their backs. Leaving behind familiar surroundings, these outsiders brought with them a wide variety of talents, personalities, and backgrounds.
On and on they came, 50 million or more, to populate America's villages and cities, to tame the wilderness, to construct more meaningful lives for themselves and their children. Powered by democratic energy and technological advance, the new nation affected world history and became the beacon of progress for all mankind. In America, people were not obliged to stay on the "wrong side of the tracks." Those who possessed the determination and talent to improve themselves could explore new paths without hindrance from qualifying factors like heredity or custom.
Our Founding Fathers created a government based on choice and reason. Counting on the abilities of an educated population, the architects of America's freedom believed the nation would be safe in the hands of citizens who could intelligently assess alternatives and select capable individuals as the republic's executives and legislators. To achieve this, an overriding principle developed, that of free speech. Gradually, this concept evolved from supporting views with popular appeal to tolerating those considered abhorrent by the majority. The price for this free expression was conflict and dissent. Yet it was felt that argument in the open marketplace of ideas enabled citizens better to judge truth and falsehood. To many, our system can seem chaotic. W. Somerset Maugham, the famous British author, described us in his book The Razor's Edge as a "tumultuous conglomeration of humanity." From this tumult, however, emerged a dynamic nation and an abundance of riches, enough to make us the envy of the world. Now, in addition to the quantity in our lives, we must remember the quality of our lives.
We are in trouble when the fellow on the street says, "The folks at the top got there simply through luck or because they had friends in high places, but I'm blocked from doing better, so I might as well not do anything." This nation did not become great through apathy and mediocrity, nor does the American spirit of equality require all people be on the same level. It does mandate, however, that each person be able to develop his or her innate talents without restriction. As we continue on the goals of tolerance toward others and justice for all, it is inspirational to recall the idealism, the energy, and the drive for excellence upon which our country was established.
Also, so that all its citizens find our society accessible to develop their God-given abilities, we should steadfastly pursue improved educational levels and greater public health standards as national objectives. Doing this will invigorate our nation by benefiting all its citizens. Let us strengthen our people so that, together, we can continue to delight in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's words:
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William Beaumont is an 11th grade Honors student at Ben Franklin High School in New Orleans. His paper on the Townshend Acts recently placed best in a $1,000 literary prize competition sponsored by the National Society of Colonial Wars. Mr. Beaumont does volunteer work at Ozanam Inn in New Orleans, and an article by him about the Inn, titled "Hospice of Mercy," will appear in an upcoming issue of the Scottish Rite Journal. His father, Ill. John Erwin Beaumont, 33°, Valley of New Orleans, wrote Freemasonry at the Top, a popular book on how to increase Masonic membership and fraternal participation. |