ADDRESS TO KNIGHTS TEMPLAR HAYS, KANSAS REMARKS OF ...dolearchivecollections.ku.edu/collections/speeches/... · templar. 11 a corv'mandery of knight s templar stands for th e noblest

ADDRESS TO KNIGHTS TEMPLAR HAYS, KANSAS

NOVEMBER 12 , 1966 REMARKS OF HONORABLE BOB DOLE

PATRIOTISM AND THE YOUTH OF AMERICA

IT IS A DISTINCT HONOR FOR ME TO JOIN WITH YOU IN THIS IMPORTANT 0:::-

CASION -- YOUR ANNUAL PATRIOTIC ACTIVITIES MEETING.

THE KNIGHTS TEMPLAR HAS A LONG AND DISTINGUISHED RECORD IN THE

FIELD OF PATRIOTIC ENDEAVORS AND THIS LCIJGE HAS KEPT APACE WITH THE AC-

COMPLISHMENTS OF THE ORDER . BUT THIS IS AS IT SHOULD BE!

THE KNIGHTS TEMPLAR EMERGED ON THE AMERICAN SCENE v/HEN AMERICAN

PATRIOTISM WAS BEGINNING TO SHOW IN A STRONG FORM. THE POPULATION OF

THE THIRTEEN COLONIES WAS BEGINNING TO PRESS FOR FREEDOM AND RIGHTS OF

THE INDIVIDUAL .

WE LEARN FROM COIL' S MASONIC ENCYCLOPEDIA THAT THE FIRST REFER-

ENCE TO A MASONIC TEMPLAR DEGREE OR CEREMONY FOUND IN THE RECORDS OF THE

CRAFT IS IN THE MINUTES OF ST . ANDREW'S ROYAL ARCH LCIJGE OR CHAPTER AT

BOSTON , MASSACHUSETTS , FOR AUGUST 28, 1769 . IT IS RECORDED THAT "BRO.

WILLIAM DAVIS CAME BEFORE THE LODGE, BEGGING TO HAVE AND RECEIVE THE

PARTS BELONGING TO THE ROYAL ARCH MASONS , WHICH BEING READ WAS RECEIVED

This document is from the collections at the Dole Archives, University of Kansas http://dolearchives.ku.edu

Page 1 of 19

NOV 1 2 1S6e

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AND HE ~vA S UNANIMOUSLY VOTED IN, AND l'JA S ACCORDINGLY MADE BY RECEIVING

THE FOUR STEPS, THAT OF EXCELLENT, SUPEREXCELLENT, ROYAL ARCH AND KNIGHT

TEMPLAR. 11

A COrv'MANDERY OF KNIGHT S TEMPLAR STANDS FOR THE NOBLEST PRINCIPLES

IN INDIVIDUAL LIFE AND THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF GOOD GOVERNMENT. IT IS

FOUNDED UPON THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION AND THE PRACTICE OF THE CHRISTIAN

VIRTUES. IT TEACHES ONE TO LET HI S LIGHT SO SHINE BEFORE MEN THAT THEY

MAY SEE ONE' S GOOD WORKS AND GLORIFY OUR FATHER WHO IS IN HEAVEN. IT

BA.SES ALL OF ITS TEACHINGS UPON THE FUNDAMENTAL TRUTH AND THEREBY ADDS

TO ONE'S UNDERSTANDING OF THE SYMBOLIC SIGNIFICANCE OF THE FIRST THREE

MASONIC DEGREES. IT OFFERS ONE A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE IN

EVERY ~JALK OF LIFE THROUGH CONTINUED INSTRUCTION AND UNDERSTANDING OF

THE LIFE OF THE FIRST KNIGHT TEMPLAR. BY PARTICIPATING IN THE EXALTED

LESSONS OF KNIGHT TEMPLARY, BY TAKING AN ACTIVE PART THEREIN, ONE GAINS

THE PRIVILEGE OF SHARING THE PRICELES S HERITAGE FROM THE PAST AS DEFENDERS

OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH.

TEMPLARY IS A \•/ORD WHICH IS SUGGESTIVE OF CHIVALRY, WHICH IN TURN

IS SUGGESTIVE OF PATRIOTISM.

SEVERAL YEARS AGO AN UNKNOWN AUTHOR \tlROTE, AND I QUOTE:


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"llf EVERY ONE OF THE NEARLY COVER) 3,500,000 MASONS IN

AMERICA SHOULD CARRY INTO TI-IE \'IORLD OF POLITICS, ECONOMICS,

AND CITIZENSHIP THE PRINCIPLES AND USAGES HE RECOGNIZES ANO

CONFORMS TO IN THE LOOGE, MASONRY COULD DO MORE THAN ALL

OTHER COvlBINED INFLUENCES TO CONVERT OUR COUNTRY INTO AN

IDEAL REPUBLIC \'n-lERE JUSTICE, EQUALITY, AND FRATERNITY \!IOULD

REPLACE IGNORANCE, VICE, POVERTY, BITTERNESS, ANO STRIFE. 11

NOV 1 2 f 968

GOVERNMENT, FEDERAL, STATE OR LOCAL, IS NOTHING MORE THAN THE AGENCY OF

THE PEOPLE CHARGED v~ITH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF CONDUCTING THE VARIOUS PHASES

OF THE NATION'S BUSINESS. AND THIS CONDUCT OF OUR NATION'S AFFAIRS SHOULD

BE IN A SOBER , BUSINESSLIKE MANNER, BOTI-1 BY THE PUBLIC AND THE OFFICIALS OF

GOVERNMENT.

OUR NATIONAL CONSTITUTION IS, OF COURSE, THE MODEL FOR ALL PEACE-LOVING

PEOPLES. OUR NATION HAS MADE GREAT STRIDES UNDER THE GOVERNMENT SET ~p IN

THE CONSTITUTION. THE CHECKS AND BALANCES OF THE DEPARTMENTS ARE AN EXCELLENT

IDEA. BUT SOME OF OUR LAv/S, LI KE TOPSY, HA VE JUST GRO\IJN.

AS WE ALL KNOW, UNDER OUR CONSTITUTION, ALL PHASES OF LAW BEAR EQUALLY

ON EVERY CITIZEN. THAT IS TAKEN TO MEAN THAT EVERY CITIZEN OF TI-IE UNITED

STATES HAS THE SAME RIGHTS UNDER LAW, AND THAT, JUST BECAUSE A PERSON MIGHT


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' NOV 1 2 196G

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LIVE IN MAINE, HE IS NOT GIVEN MORE OR LESS PRIVILEGES THAN A PERSON LIVING

IN KANSAS.

WE ARE INHERITORS OF A "LAND OF L IBERTY11 COLONIZED BY COURAGEOUS

PEOPLE WHO FLED ACROSS THE SEAS FROM TYRANNY TO SEEK POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS

FREEDOM.

WE ARE INHERITORS OF A FREEDOM PURCHASED BY THE BLOOO AND SACRIFICES

OF THOSE WHO FOUGHT IN THE 11/AR OF THE REVOLUTION AND ALL THE WARS THAT

FOLLOWED.

PATRIOTISM MEANS KNOWING AND TEACHING THAT WE LIVE UNDER A GOVERNMENT

OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, AND FOR THE PEOPLE. IT MEANS KNOWING AND

TEACHING A FUNDAMENTAL BELIEF IN GOO. IT MEANS KNOlt/ING AND TEACHING THAT

VJE HA VE A GOVERNMENT BY CONST I TUT I ON \'JHOSE CORNERSTONE IS A BEL I EF IN THE

VALUE AND IMPORTANCE OF EACH PERSON AS AN INDIVIDUAL.

LORD MACAULEY OF ENGLAND DIDN'T THINK VERY HIGHLY OF THOMAS JEFFERSON'S

IDEAS, AND HE PREDICTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WHICH JEFFERSON EVOLVED FOR AMERICA

\~OULD CRACK UP. MACAULAY \'/ATCHED OUR GOVERNMENT IN OPERATION FOR HALF A CEN-

TURY BEFORE HE MADE HIS DIRE PREDICTION. HE DID NOT EXPECT TO SEE THE SMASH-UP

IN HIS TIME, BUT I SAID HE, 11 YOUR FATE I BELIEVE CERTAIN, THOUGH IT IS DEFERRED •••.• "

TODAY, THOUGHTFUL AMERICANS ARE \·IONDER ING A BIT FEARFULLY JUST HOW GOOD


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A PROPHET MACAULAY WAS. THEY SEE THE SHADO\~ OF THE GOVERNMENT GROW I NG LARGER

AND THAT OF THE I ND IV IDUAL CITIZEN GROI~ I NG SMALLER. THEY SEE FREE ENTERPRISE

BECOvtlNG RESTRICTED ENTERPRISE. EVEN IN THE FACE OF S(X;IALISTIC DISILLUSION-

MENT ABROO.O, THEY SEE AMERICANS WHO, UNDER PRIVATE Ml\NAGEMENT, HAVE MADE

THEMSELVES THE MOST PROSPEROUS AND MOST SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE ON EARTH, BEING

GENTLY COO.XED INTO TRYING GOVERNMENT MANAGEMENT -- WITH PENNIES FROM THEIR

OWN TILL. THEY SEE WASHINGTON SWARMING vllTH ECONOMIC DOCTORS,, WHO, THOUGH

PLEASED \1J !TH THE GOLDEN EGGS 1 ARE ITCH I NG TO OPERATE ON THE GOOSE.

WE SHOULD BE HEARING A GREAT DEAL ABOUT PATRIOTISM IN THE MONTHS

AHEAD. BUT IT IS ALWAYS LIKELY THAT A LOT OF STRANGE ITEMS WILL BE OFFERED

IN PATRIOTIC WRAPPERS. IT MIGHT BE A GO()) IDEA TO TAKE TIME OUT TO DISCOVER

JUST WHAT PATRIOTISM IS.

DICTIONARY DEFINITIONS ARE INADEQUATE. PATRIOTISM IS MORE THAN "LOVE

OF ONE'S COUNTRY"; IT INVOLVES ATTITUDE,, ALERTNESS, ACTION . IT REQUIRES,

FIRST OF ALL, A DEEP CONVICTION THAT THE PRINCIPLES FOR WHICH OUR COUNTRY

STANDS ARE RIGHT. IT IMPLIES A PERSONAL DETERMINATION TO GUARD THESE

STANDARDS, NOT FROM CHANGE, BUT FROM UNWISE CHANGE ,, OR CHANGE SLIPPED OVER

ON US. IT CONNOTES AN ACTIVE LOYALTY, BUT NOT THE KIND THAT LETS GEORGE

DO IT!


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NOV 1 2 1966

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THERE ARE TVJO KINDS OF PATRIOT I SM: THE WAR-TIME PATRIOT I SM l~H ICH

ALL OF US KNOW ABOUT, AND A DEEPER, LESS EMOTIONAL KIND -- THE PATRIOTISM

OF PEACE. THE FIRST KIND WE USUALLY TURN ON ANO OFF ON HOLIDAYS AND DURING

WAR SCARES. THE OTHER IS SOMETHING CONTINUOUS, AN ELEMENT OF OUR CHARACTER

LIKE SELF-RESPECT, GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP, OR LOVE OF ONE'S FAMILY.

LIKE FREEDOM, PATRIOTISM IS NOT FREE. THE PRICE \1AS HIGH AT VALLEY

FORGE, IT IS HIGH TODAY IN VIET NAM. FOR US AT HavlE, THERE IS A PRICE.

WE MUST BELIEVE FERVENTLY IN OUR COUNTRY'S BASIC IDEALS, AND STAND FOR THEM

OURSELVES -- BOLDLY AND UNSHAMED. WE MUST PROTECT THESE IDEALS AGAINST THE

POLITICAL DREAMERS \IJHO OFFER US ENTICING SUBSTITUTES, SOME ORIGINAL, OTHERS

IMPORTED. WE MUST SUPPORT THE INSTITUTIONS WHICH ARE TEACHING OUR TIME-

TESTED PRINCIPLES TO THE YOUNG MEN AND YOUNG \~OMEN UPON WHOM WE MUST DEPEND

TO PRESERVE OUR NATIONAL HERITAGE IN THE FUTURE.

ALMOST 18 MILLION YOUNG AMERICANS TODAY ARE CROWDING INTO CLASSROavlS;

SPILLING INTO THE STREETS, FILLING CARS, STORES ANO BEACHES. TEEN-AGERS

DESPISE BEING CONSIDERED A GROUP, YET A GROUP IS WHAT THEY ARE. AT THE

ROOT OF THE TIE THAT BINDS THESE YOUNGSTERS TO ONE ANOTHER IS ADOLESCENCE.

INTELLECTUALS TALK ABOUT A CRISIS OF IDENTITY IN TODAY'S ADULT WORLD, BUT

THAT HAS BEEN OLD HAT FOR AGES TO THE ADOLESCENT, A PERSON IN SEARCH OF


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ov 1 2 196&

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HIMSELF ~/ITH ALL THE ADVANTAGES OF AN EXPLORER US ING A COMPASS AND SEXTANT

IN AN IRON MINE ON A CLOUDY NIGHT.

THEIR YEARS ARE SCCIAL YEARS, WITH A BEWILDERING GRADATION OF CLUBS,

CLIQUES, CASTES AND ACCOMPANYING FORMS OF UNTOUCHABILITY.

BUT WE NEED STRONGER PARENTAL CONTROL, BETTER-PLANNED YOUTH ACTIVITIES

AND A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT WILL TAKE THE ROUGH EDGES OFF THE GROWING

PAINS.

TO THE MAJORITY OF YOUNGSTERS, THEIR FADS, THEIR KNEE-HIGH BOOTS,

THEIR PRINCE VALIANT BOBS SYMBOLIZE A REBELLION AGAINST ADULT AUTHORITY.

ONE BOY WAS ASKED WHY HE l~ORE DARK GLASSES AT NIGHT. HE SA ID, 11 I

WANT TO BE D I FFERENT."

TIGHT BLUE JEANS, SLOPPY SHIRTS, DISHEVELED HAIR, DIRTY SNEAKERS,

MALE AND FEMALE, YOU CAN HARDLY TELL v/HICH IS WHICH IN SOME GROUPS.

WHAT KIND OF A PATRIOTIC EXAMPLE ARE WE SETTING FOR THE YOUTH OF

AMERICA?

IF THE UNITED STATES WERE TO SUCCUMB TO MASS BEATNIKERY, THE GREAT

AMER I CAN I DEAL WOULD DISAPPEAR, OUR ECONCXvlY WOULD SHUT DOVIN, THE GROSS

NAT I ONAL PRODUCT \'WULD SHRIVEL, THE COLLEGES WOULD CLOSE FOR WANT OF ENDOI~-

MENTS, SCIENCE COULD NOT CONTINUE WITHOUT PROPER SUPPORT AND OUR DEFENSES


Page 7 of 19

NOV 1 2 1966

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\IJOULD BE STUCK \1-J I TH OBSOLESCENT WEAPONS.

THESE ARE ONLY A FEW OF THE REASONS WHY WE SHOULD GIVE SO MUCH THOUGHT

TO THE YOUTH OF AMERICA. TODAY'S TEEN-AGERS ~1/ILL JOIN TOMORROW'S PTA, EXECU-

TIVE TRAINING PROGRAMS, AND MA.KE AND UPHOLD THE LAWS OF OUR LAND . WHAT IS

TO BE THE OUTCOME IF ~\fE DO NOT GI VE DEEP CONSIDERATION TO THE PROBLEMS OF

OUR YOUTH NO\\f?

A WRITER IN HARPER'S MAGAZINE HAS OBSERVED THAT VIOLENCE IS BECOMING

A CENTRAL FACT OF LIFE. RIOTING AND HOOLIGANISM ARE ON THE RISE, AND IN

RURAL AS WELL AS URBAN AREAS. HE FURTHER STATES THAT EXPLANATIONS ARE EASY

TO COME BY -- MI SER I ES OF SLLM LI FE, RACIAL AND RELIGIOUS FR I CT IONS, THE

BREAKDOWN OF THE FAMILY, OF RELIGION, OR OF THE NATIONAL MORAL FIBER.

WE CAN ~\fELL CONSIDER THESE STATEMENTS. IN SUMMA.RY THIS AUTHOR

MAINTAINS THAT OUR TAMED SOCIETY NO LONGER OFFERS YOUNG MALES THE OUTLETS

FOR BOLDNESS AND AGGRESSION THAT THEIR INSTINCTS DEMAND.

ALL OF US OUGHT TO INVEST A GOOD DEAL MORE EFFORT, INGENUITY AND

MONEY IN THE SEARCH FOR ACCEPTABLE SUBSTITUTES FOR -V IOLENCE. TO TAKE CARE

OF THE POPULATION EXPLOSION, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DOUBLE THE NUMBER

OF OUR PRESENT COLLEGE BUILDINGS \<JITHIN THE NEXT 20 YEARS . IT HAS BEEN

SUGGESTED THAT MAYBE EVERY ABLE-BODIED BOY SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO LABOR ON


Page 8 of 19

NOV 1 2 \966

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THE CAMPUS FOR SIX MONTHS AS A BRICKLAYER OR CARPENTER BEFORE HE IS ADMITTED

TO CLASSES.

I DO NOT KNOI~ ALL THE ANS\AJERS, BUT I SU3GEST THAT l~E GI VE MORE UNO 1-

VIDEO ATTENTION TO THE PROBLEMS OF OUR YOUTH -- SHOW THEM BY EXAMPLE WHAT

REAL PATRIOTISM IS ANO HOW FORTUNATE THEY ARE TO L !VE IN THIS PARTICULAR

COUNTRY.

THERE ARE MANY RAMPARTS FROM WHICH OUR YOUTH CAN BE TAUGHT THE AMER-

ICAN \~AY OF LIFE. BUT I/IE MUST KEEP THESE RAMPARTS STRONG.

l/JE HAVE RECEIVED A MOST VALUABLE INHERITANCE AND ARE UNDER THE GREATEST

OBLIGATION TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE THIS LAND, AND TO TRANSMIT IT TO POSTERITY

WITH ALL ITS GRAND ACHIEVEMENTS AND GLORIOUS RECOLLECTIONS.

THIS LOVE OF COUNTRY IS NATURAL, BECAUSE THE TOWN AND THE NATION IN WHICH

ONE HAS LIVED ARE, LIKE THE HCXv1E, BOUND UP WITH ALL THE EXPERIENCES OF ONE'S

LIFE.

IT IS NOT MERELY NATURAL TO BE PATRIOTIC, BUT IT IS ALSO REASONABLE

AND RIGHT. ALL THAT MAKES LIFE PLEASANT AND DESIRABLE COMES TO US FROM

THE NAT I ON OF WHICH i~E ARE A PART.

WE MUST NEVER FORGET, AS WE THINK OR SPEAK OF PATRIOTISM, THAT SUCH

PRIVATE VIRTUES AS HONESTY AND INDUSTRY ARE ITS BEST HELPS. THE COUNTRY


Page 9 of 19

NOV 12 1966

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WILL ONE DAY BE IN THE HANDS OF THOSE WHO ARE NOW OUR BOYS AND GIRLS AND

TO THESE VIE SAY, SERVE IT, GUARD IT, AND DO VJHAT YOU CAN TO PROMOTE ITS

INTERESTS. A TRUE PERSPECTIVE OF PATRIOTISM WILL MAKE FOR BETTER CITI-

ZENSHIP.


Page 10 of 19

LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE SERVICE

THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON, D. C. 20540

P.1-.TRIOTIS' 11 ID ':'l1f:i: YCJUTH OF AM7l.ICA : rtDl:;:t~.SS TC KM:G:ITS TEHPLAq

A Draft Speec11 :irepared According to t:1e Irstruct::..ons of 'I' e 'foncrable Robert Dole

'fhli t'\t t~Ohdd has btie11 i;.repa:r1:d tor thti personal u:i1t ot the Member requesting it in contormenoe with his dlrdo• tions and is not intended to r~pres&ut th~ oplniou vt the author or the Legisl~tiYe .R.efereng_tt .S~zy,i_ce •

....ioris C:. :·,hi tney :fri ter

Gcverr.ITlerit a. d General ltesearc'1. D·visicr.. Serte~ber 21, 1966


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PATRIOTISM A.ND THE YOUTH OF AMERICA: ADDRESS TG KNIGHTS TEMPLAR

It is a distinct honor for me to join with you in this i~portart

occasion -- your annual patriotic activities meeting .

The Knights Templar 1.as a long and distinguis;rnd record in the

field of patriotic endeavors and this Lodge has kept apace wi t'1 tne

acco::rplishments of the Order . But this is as it should be !

The Knig'lts Ternplar emerged on t11e Anerican scene w'1en American

patriotisn was begi11ning to show in a strong form. The population of

the T~1irteen Colonies was beginr.ing to press for freedom and rights of

the individual.

vfo learn from Coil Is .:!aso".liC Encyclonedia that t11e first reference

to a Masonic Templar degree or ceremony found in t'1e records of the

Craft is L1 the minutes of St . 1Lndrew 1 s ii.oyal Arch Lodge or Chapter at

Boston, :Ms.ssachusetts, for August 28, 1769 . It is recorded that 11Bro .

William Davis came before the lodge, begging to have and receive the

parts belo:1ging to the Royal Arch Masons, which being read was received

and he was unanimously voted in, and was accordingly made by receiving

t11e four steps , that of Lxcellent , Superexcellent , Royal Arch and Krig11t

Te:nplar . 11

A Cornmandery of Knights Te:nplar stands for the noblest pri1ciples

in individual life and the highest standards of good government . It is

founded upoil t11e C'nristian religion and the practice of the Christian

virtues . It teac'les one to let his light so shine before men that they

may see one 1s good works and glorify our Father who is in heaven . It


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bases all of its teachi gs upori the fun_da:ne~tal truth a'ld t>iereby adds

to one ' s unders ta di 1g of the sribolic sigrificance of t'ie first three

"19.sonic Degrees . It offers one a wonderful opportunity to i '!prove in

every walk of life through continued ±nstruction and understa1ding of

tae life of the First Knight Te'Tlplar . By participating in t'1e exalted

lessons of Knight Te'Tlplar;y , by taking ar active part thereir one gains

tl1e privilege of s>iaring trie priceless heritage from the past as defenders

of the Christian fait'i .

Te'nplary is a word which is suggestive of cl--iivalry, w'1ic1:1 in turn

is suggestive of patriotism.

Several years ago an unk'1own author wrote , and I quote:

"If every one of the nearly [over J 3, 500 , 000 Vnsons in

America s!·10uld carry into the world of politics , econo·nics ,

and citizenship the principles and usages he recognizes and

conforms to in tli.e Lodge , Lasonry could do -;iore tha'1 all otl--ier

combined ini'luences to convert our coW1try irto an ideal

republic where justice , equality, and frater!1ity would replace

ignorance , vice , uoverty, bitter ness , and strife . "

Gover'1l!1e nt , federal , state or local , is nothing 1llor e t'1an t'1e agency

of tli.e people charged wit11 the responsibility of conducting t1e various

phases of the nation 1 s business . .F_nd this conduct of our .1atio'1 1 s affairs

s~ould be in a sober, businesslike ~B.nner , both by the public and the

officials of government .


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Cur natioral CoYJ.stitutio.i is , of course , the 11odel for all peace-

loving peoples . Gur nation has ~ade great strides under tle govern~ent

set up in the Constitution, The ct-iecks and balances of the departnerts

are an excellent idea . But so~e of our laws , like Topsy, ~ave just

grow •

11.s we all know , under our Constitution all phases of law bear

equally O"l every citizen. T"iat is taker: to !"'.lean that every citizen of

the United States has the same rights under law, and that , just because

a person ':iight live in lvai e , e is not given more or less privileges

than a person living in Kansas .

We are i11heritors of a 11Land of Liberty" colonized by courageous

people wt-io fled across the seas from tyranny to seek political and

religious freedom,

de are inheritors of a freedorri purchased by the blood and sacrifices

of tnose who fougt-it in the 1-lar of the Revolutio11 a11d alJ tlie wars that

f phlowed .

Pa tri oti s m :'lear,s knowing and teac Ging t 1a t we live under a Govern"1.ent

of t11e people , by t'rie people , and for tl-ie people . It means knowing and

teachirg a fundamental belief in God , It rr..eans knowing and teachi.1g

that we '1ave a gover::unent by Constitution w'1ose cornerstone is a belief

in t'le value and importance of each person as an individual.

Lord Y~cauley of ~ngland did~ 1 t think very highly of Thomas Jefferson ' s

ideas , and he predicted that tne govern..11ent which Jeffersor evolved for


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America would crack up . Y.acaulay watc'1ed our government in operation

for half a ce11tury before he rr~de his dire prediction. He did not

expect to see the smasli.- up in his time, but, said he, 11 Your fate I

believe certain, t'i.ough it is deferred . 11

Today, thoughtful America cS a.re wondering a bit fearfully just •1ow

good a prop 1et Vacaulay was . Tliey see t·1e s·1adow of t"f-ie government

growing larger and that of the individual citizen growing smaller . T'riey

see free enterprise becomL1g restricted enterprise . Even in the face of

socialistic disillusio~~ent abroad , they see Americans w10 , under private

T'lanagerrient , have ria.de themselves the most prosperous and most successful

people on eartri, being gently coaxed into trying government "'lanageme11t

- - wi tl-i. pennies frol1 their own till. Tl-i.ey see Washingto11 swar:ning with

economic doctors , who, though pleased witl-i tie golden eggs, are itc'1ing

to operate on the goose .

':le s11ould be '1.earing a great deal about patriotism ir the months

ahead , But it is always likely that a lot of strar.ge ite'Jls will be offered

in patriotic wrappers . It mig11t be a good idea to take time out to

discover just what patriotism is .

Dictio~1ary definitions are i.1adequate , Patriotism is nore than

"love of one ' s cou...11try 11 ; it involves attitude , alertness , action . It

requires , first of all , a deep corvictior. t'1at the prindples for w'-licl-i

our cou itry sta.1ds are rig,11.t . It i'nplies a persor.al deterrri.nation to

guard t '1ese standards , not fro:n c 1ange , but fro·n w1wise cha 1ge, or change


Page 15 of 19

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slirped over oYJ. us . It co.wotes an active loyalty, but not t11e kl 'ld

that lets George do it !

'I iere are two ki'lds of patriotism: t·:e war- tinie patriotis!'1 w11ich

all of us 1r ow about, and a deeper, less emotio ial ki.1d -- t•1e patriotis n

of peace . T'1e first kird we usually turr. on a_1d cff 011 'iolidays and

duri:1g war scares . T11e ot 1er is so ilet 1ing car ti:!1uous , aJ11 ele ne.'1t of our

c<mracter like self- respect, good sportsr;ar.s lip , or love of ore 1 s fa 'lily .

Like freedo ~ , uatriotism is .10t free , 'l'rie ;_'.'rice was ·1ig11 at Va11ey

Forge , it is 1ig>1 tcday in Vietna"'i , For us at riome , t'1ere is a price ,

·1e r.:ust believe ferve'1tly ir cur cot..ntry ' s basic ideals , and sta .d for

the1n ourselves -- boldJy and unsha"led , '.tie "'Just urotect these ideals

against tr1e political drea~ers who offer us entici'1g substitutes, some

original , other i nported , iJe :'llust suoport the institutions which are

teac'iirg our ti"':le-tested pri'1ciples to the youYJ.g .. 1er a1d young woI!le'1 upo

wli.on we 111ust deper..d to preserve our natior.al heritage in the ft ture .

1\.lmost 18 'Uillion you·1g pw1ericalls today are crowdi 11g i~1to classrooc.1s;

spil1ing intc t'1e streets , fillL.g cars, stores a id beaches . Teer-agers

despise bei,..g co'·1sidered a group, yet a group is w'1at ti-iey are . .ht t!--ie

root of tie tie triat biLds these yourgsters to ore arot>ier is adolesce11ce .

I.'tellectuals talk about a crisis of idc;rti t;y il'i today 1 s adult world ,

but tl1at '1as been old 1-iat for ages to tl-i.e adolesce.1t , a person in searcJ.1

of hi >J.self wit'1 all t11e advantages of ar explorer usi>J.g a co"'lpass and

sextant ir. an iro,i mi "1e on a cloudy nig'1t ,


Page 16 of 19

-Lil.S-6-

T>-ieir years are social years , wi t.1 a bewildering gradatio~1 of

clubs , cliques , castes and acco.nparyi 1g for~_s of untoucviabilj ty .

But we ieed stronger parental control , better- plaYrred yout'1 activi-

ties and a better understar:ding of what will take t'1.e roug>-i edges off

the growing pair s • .

To t'1e T"laj ori ty of youngsters , t 1eir fads , their knee- ligh boots,

their Frince Valiant bobs syrrbolize a rebellio'1 against adult authority .

One boy was asked why he wore dark glasses at nig11t . He said ,

"I want to be different . 11

Tig'1t blue jeans, sloppy s'iirts , dis'1eveled 1-iair , dirtysieakers .

Male and feJlale , you ca_1 'iardly tell w1icn is w11ich in some groups .

1'/nat kind of a patriotic exa•7iple are we settLlg for t 11e youth of

l'i!·1erica':'

If the U,.,i ted States were to succumb to '18.SS beatnikery, tf1e great

A"'lerica.1 ideal would disappear, our eco"ony would shut down, t 1e Gross

National Product would sl-irivel , the colleges would close for want of

endow-nents , science could y10t continue wi tl-iout proper support and our

d.efe11ses would be stuck wi V1 obsolescert weapo s .

T'lese are only a few of t'ie reasons why we s 1ouJd give so '!luch

thought to t11e yout11 of America . Today 1 s teen- agers will join to·norrow 1 s

PT,:. , executive training pro gr aw , and make and uphold the laws of our

land . W11at is to be tl-ie outco"'le if we do not give deep consideration

to t11e problems of our youtl-:t NOw':

A writer in Harper 1 s Vagazine 11.as observed that violence is becoming

a central fact of life . Rioting and hooliganism a r e on the rise , and in


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rural as well as urbar. areas . He further states that explanatioris are easy to come by -- 'Piseries of sllllll life, racial ard religious frictions, t•1e breakdown of the fa 'lily, of religion, or of tl-ie natio~1al 'lloral fiber .

We can well consider tli.ese statements . In summary this author maintains t'iat our tal'led society no longer offers young males t·rn outlets for boldness and aggression that their instincts del'J8.nd .

All of us ought to i '1Vest a good deal more effort, i.1genui ty a'ld none;y i11 the search for acceptable substitutes for violence . To take care of the population explosio~, we are going to have to double the number of our present college buildi '1gs wi t'--ii_1 the next 2C years . It has been suggested tl-iat maybe every able- bodied boy s 110uld be required to labor on the catnpus for· six months as a bricklayer or carpe'1ter before he is ad.,Utted to classes.

::: do rot k'1ow all t'le answers but I suggest that we give T'lore lD.di vided atte.~tion to t'le problems of our youth -- si- ow t'.1em by example what reaJ. patriotism is and "low fortunate they are to live in this particular country .

There are many ranparts fro'll which our youth can be taug.1t tne A:"lerican way of life . But we must keep tl-iese ramparts strong.

We have received a "'lost valuable iYJ.heri tarce ard are u_rider t'le greatest obligation to protect and preserve this land , a11d to trans"'l:it it to posterity with all its grand achievements ard glorious recollections .

T~is love of country is natural , because t'i.e town and the nation in which one has lived are , like ti-ie hone , bound up witi-i all the experierces of one ' s life .


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It is not ~erely natural to be patriotic , but it is also reasonable

ar:d right . All that makes life pleasa nt ar..d desirable comes to us fro'll

the nation of w iicl:l we are a part .

We 'nust never forget, as we thi.1.k or speak of patriotisI'l, that sucl:l

private virtues as 11.onesty and i'1dustry are its best '1elps . The cou""itry

will one day be ir the har..ds of tnose who are .1ow our boys and girls and

to these we say , serve it , guard it , and do what you can to promote its

interests . A true perspective of patriotis'll will "'lake for better

ci tizer,s'1ip .


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ADDRESS TO KNIGHTS TEMPLAR HAYS, KANSAS REMARKS OF ...dolearchivecollections.ku.edu/collections/speeches/... · templar. 11 a corv'mandery of knight s templar stands for th e noblest