This prize winning essay was written in the fifties by Elaine (Tokos) Hogue who lived in Masaryktown when attending Hernando High School. The subject of “American Heritage” was read by a representative of the National Moose Lodge Organization before a meeting of the Americanism Committee of Congress.
The essay for which Miss Tokos received a cash prize of $10.00 was judged to be the most outstanding of 16 submitted in a county-wide contest sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary. Miss Tokos read the essay for the Washington’s birthday celebration (at the band shell). The entry is as follows:
Throughout the ages man has fought, toiled, shed blood and sacrificed for one cause or another. In the ages of the cave man, the struggle was against animals. As years progressed, man invented weapons sufficient to protect him from animals; and the struggles for existence became greater and greater; the odds were against unseen forces so destructive that even though man is constantly inventing more dangerous weapons, the force still exists and grows larger, greater and more powerful. Now in these ages, man has chosen to give his life rather than lose his most precious possession, freedom; the forces he fights are those that threaten to take from him, his freedom.
In the year seventeen and seventy-six, a document was signed. The significance of this document was that it declared the bond between Great Britain and America severed. This was the basic cornerstone which led through the years to an even greater freedom; man fought hard for this first step toward freedom but the fact remains that it was well worth the effort for the purpose was won and America’s freedom was gained.
What did this act of independence mean to the individual person? To mankind? It meant that America was dedicating itself to the task of preserving the integrity of the “Individual Personality.”
By the Declaration of Independence the essence of Americanism was distilled. These are the principles which brought all denominations, races, creeds and colors together on a permanent and peaceful basis. Each was equal before God the Creator therefore, was made equal in the eyes of the law, of the land. Because of their equality no government, majority or immortal destiny could take from them, their human rights.
What is a person’s individual freedom? It is the personal, God given integrity of each man in the government to do as he sees fit in the way most pleasing to him and God; the privilege to obtain peace, security, and happiness through his own means.These privileges among others is also guaranteed in another even greater document “The Constitution of the United States.” He is guaranteed these rights, not because he is of class, gender or distinction, but because he is man with a personal, immortal destiny, and he as a citizen of the United States is entitled to the protection of the United States government and equal respect of fellow Americans.
America is the only country in this world where individual man holds substantial, natural, personal rights which he can require everybody, including his government to respect and observe. This is the goal for which our forefathers strived, risking their lives, fortunes and sacred honor to obtain and preserve. Individual rights, man’s unalienable rights, the very substance of Americanism could be secured only in the American form of government. It is Americanism that offers the only valid formula for the ultimate achievement of the rights of man and his freedom. Contrary is the beliefs and practices of the Communistic doctrine which is merely a hopeless, fearful way of life. Americanism is the only sure way to man’s inalienable pursuit to his happiness. God given, government enforced.
Lets’ go back to our forefathers once again. Our forefathers knew that the most sufficient government on earth is that of an absolute and unrestricted despotism. They also learned through experience that an unrestricted government withers and disappears. Between the disorders of Anarchy and the inevitable despotics they chose the golden mean. The resulting American form is a series of servant government all charged with the duty of protecting human rights and enforcing personal duties.
There is but one hope for a justifiable prosperous people. That hope lies in the acceptance of all American principles by all the people of this earth. The world must first be convinced that we are the strongest, richest, freest, happiest, most prosperous nation on this earth. The American principle is the “common denominator” of all mankind. It declares “all men” not just Americans equal but provides American citizens with liberty and justice. Its’ ideal is not to be embodied in a vague, meaningless “democracy” but in a true self-government of each individual by himself through God, through conscience and through fellow man.
Is there any question then why throughout the ages man has fought and died to preserve this great thing. Man fights for what he thinks is right and good. He fights for freedom, his American Heritage.
– E. Tokos