I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA United States Citizenship— United States citizenship is priceless. It is a heritage of the freedom-loving peoples of all ages. It is based on the dreams and toil and bloodshed of those who first came to the New World-and of the millions of others, like yourselves, who followed them. * * Remember always that constant vigilance is the price of continued freedom. Accept the truth that recognition of the equal rights of others is the best assurance that our own rights will be preserved. Be constantly aware that the law, manifested through the orderly procedures of our courts, is the true guardian of our liberties. The Government to which you have sworn allegiance is your Government. The people are the masters. The Government is the servant, doing for the people only those things which they cannot do individually for themselves. As citizens, you should acquaint yourselves fully with the mechanics of your Government. You should study and discuss the issues before it. You should make your voice, and your vote, heard. It can be representative only to the extent that you help make it so. HERBERT BROWnell, Jr., Attorney General of the United States. [From an address at Veterans Day naturalization ceremonies, New York City, on November 11, 1954.] |