earnings against his will. He is free to hold, sell, or exchange his goods as he likes. He has the advantage of our wide-spread system of public and private schools and can get a good education. He is free to discuss his problems with his neighbors. In his spare time he can play whatever kinds of games he likes. He is a person of independence, and we judge him much less by what he has than by what sort of a person he is and by what he can do. And all of this applies just as truly to the women of the community as it does to the men. So do the facts stated in the rest of this chapter. As a member of group life in this country, every person-whether he is a citizen or not-has a place of some importance. He may decide for himself what kind of a home he will live in, and he may direct his own home life, as long as he does it peaceably. He may send his children to private or public schools, choose which religious group he wants to join, and in general look upon his family group as his own particular business and responsibility. As a member of his community, he is free to use its parks, playgrounds, public hospitals, police services, fire protection, and every other good thing which it provides for its group members. If he is a citizen, he may become as active as he wishes in helping to direct the affairs of the community. He may take a full part in the discussions of community problems and needs. He may argue for or against a new school building, playground, street-lighting system, or paving project. He may organize a group to sign a petition asking for better police protection or better fire protection, or for any other improvement believed to be for the good of the people. In urging his community to become more active in making improvements he may himself become a leader and may be elected to public office. In fact every person is free to work as hard as he likes for his own personal good and for that of his community, State, and Nation, according to the part he decides to take in government, home, church, business, and other group activities. BASIC RIGHTS OF MEMBERS OF OUR NATIONAL GROUP The early settlers valued their freedom very highly. Their entire way of living was based on freedom. In this new land they were free to farm, fish, trap, or trade. They chose the land on which to build their own homes and left it if they went to newer country. The dangers of a strange new land added strength to their spirit of independence. When their descendants formed a new nation they were careful that no one person or group of persons in it could entirely control the government. Therefore they established certain basic rights to protect all their people. These basic rights were the very foundation of the new government. And on that foundation all the rest of their duties and privileges were built up. THE BILL OF RIGHTS As we have already told you, that famous group of 55 men who wrote our National Constitution in Philadelphia in the summer of 1787 did not at first decide to put a statement of the basic rights of the people into it. But while they discussed the new Constitution and after they sent it to the States to be voted on, there was much complaint because it contained no "bill of rights." A number of the States would not accept the Constitution until they received a promise that a more complete statement of principles would be added. So by the end of 1791, the 10 amendments, which have since been called the Bill of Rights, were adopted by the Congress and the States. (For some of these special rights, see Figure 24.) This Bill of Rights speaks throughout of "the people" and of the rights of "persons" and does not try to limit to citizens alone the freedom and justice which it insists upon. Let us now study some of the rights which are guaranteed to us in this way. THE RIGHT TO JOIN ANY RELIGIOUS GROUP WE CHOOSE The very first amendment in the Bill of Rights of the Constitution forbids the National Government to do a number of things. Let us read it. Some Important Rights of Our Citizens Guaranteed by The National Freedom of Speech Freedom of the Press Freedom of Worship Right to Assemble Peaceably Right to Life and Liberty Right to a speedy & public trial Right to petition, the government Figure 24 Some Important Rights of Our Citizens FIRST AMENDMENT "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." We see, first of all, that the Government is to be kept separate from religion. Our citizens are free to join any religious body (or none at all), and each religious body in this country is free to practice its own beliefs and forms of worship; the Government will not interfere, so long as the members have a proper regard for the law and the peace of the community. In the past, governments have even carried on wars against religious groups and have persecuted them cruelly. In some foreign countries today, the citizens are no longer free to choose their own churches. This right ("freedom of worship") is very dear to Americans, who believe it is one of the real tests of a truly free nation THE RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND OF THE PRESS The First Amendment also guarantees us against any action by the Government which will interfere with our right to say, write, print, or publish anything we wish, so long as it does not injure someone else unjustly. Today when the rights of citizens to talk and write freely is being denied in so many parts of the world, we are especially proud of this national right. Of course, if we hurt people by false statements in our writings or speech, or if we damage someone's reputation unjustly, we can be sued in a court of law. But within these limits we can discuss any question freely. We can write what we wish to our friends. We can criticize our Government when we think it is wrong. The right of freedom of the press is a strong protection for free government. Newspapers and magazines are free to print the opinions of all sorts of people who have had different lives and experiences and who have different ideas about national problems. Many of these ideas may not be wise or correct, but people in this country know that they are not obliged to believe everything they read. It is safer to discuss all sides of a subject and to let everyone have his say than to try to shut off discussion. In a country where the final authority belongs to the people it is important that the people be informed fully about national problems. It is also important that government officials shall know what the people are thinking and saying. THE RIGHT TO ASSEMBLE PEACEABLY Another of the basic rights which is guaranteed to us by the First Amendment is the freedom to come together in groups for any peaceable purpose. We call this the "right to assemble peaceably." More than 300 years ago, in 1620, while the Pilgrims were sailing toward America in their little ship, the Mayflower, they assembled in the cabin many times in the long 3 months of the voyage and talked about the kind of government they would like to set up when they reached the new country. What form of government would they choose? How would officials be chosen? How would laws be made? They answered some of these questions. They wrote their ideas of government on paper. They called the agreement the "Mayflower Compact." It contained some of the ideas of government which we have in the United States today. Ever since that time our people have recognized the value of quiet discussion and planning and have especially valued the right to meet together in groups to discuss their problems. In some parts of the world today, when groups gather to discuss problems, they are suspected of plotting against their government. In our country all of our groups, whether study groups, political groups, social clubs, or any other kind of lawful groups, meet when and where they please. They do not have to get the Government's permission and they need not fear interference from the police. |