We are coming to an important time in the life of our country, namely "Election Day."

As we look back to the signing of the Declaration of Independence and remember all the Masons who took part in that event, we think of the Patriotism that they showed for our fledgling country. Patriotism is defined as love and loyal support of one's country. It is also defined as nationalism. Patriotism, therefore, is love for and loyalty to the spirit of one's nation.

The government of the United States of America is instituted to secure the rights of the people, and it derives its just powers from the consent of the people. The principles upon which our government rests was underlined by Abraham Lincoln in his famous address when he declared, "That government of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall not perish from the earth." Therefore, every act of government must be one which protects the people, secures liberty for the people, or aids the people in their pursuit of happiness.

The people have a right and a duty to remain responsibly critical of their government in order for it to remain true to the principles and purposes for which it was instituted. The founding fathers of this nation had the wisdom to say that "Government long established should not be changed for light and transient causes." They, however, recognized a basic principle and wrote it into the Declaration of Independence When a government becomes destructive of the ends for which the people created it, "it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute a new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem, most likely to effect their safety and happiness."

These underlying principles give this nation its true spirit; and true patriotism is love for and loyalty to the spirit that has made the United States a great nation and enabled it to become a beacon of hope for people all over the world.

What we perceive ourselves to be takes it form from our freedoms. We can be what we would like because we have the rights granted by our government. Our government is us. To keep our government alive and well, do your part on November 7 VOTE

Fraternally,

John Lacki Jr.
Worshipful Master