It seems that there are two views concerning America–she is either the best thing in the world, or the worst thing. Of course, there are a few who hold the middle ground, but they are not nearly as vocal as the others. But what then is she? Is she the best thing or the worst thing?
Certainly the United States have more to offer than other countries may. No other country in the world is set up quite like her–with a Constitution that grants more freedoms to her people than any place else. America offers the freedom of religion, of expression, of the press, of speech; freedoms not offered elsewhere like they are here. In some ways she is a dream country—her ideals are a small government, with plenty of freedom for her people.
This is not to say that America is a perfect nation—far from it. She is not perfect, and as has been pointed out by many, she has deviated from the small government that she had when she was first founded. With an ever-growing national debt, and an ever-growing government, it seems that our freedoms are not as safe as they were.
America is not the beginning and the end, but she offers far more than some will give her credit for. She offers a place where someone can work hard to make an honest living. She offers freedom that has not been offered before, and the years stand as a testimony to this offer.
Yet a nation divided against itself cannot stand. The values, the ideals of America are still there, and so long as the People maintain them, they will survive as a statement for all ages. As Richard Henry Lee said,
It is certainly true that a popular government cannot flourish without virtue in the people.
Virtue Magazine, for the past year and a half, has been trying to make a difference for the better in our nation. If she has at least done that to one person, than she has succeeded.
But now, times are changing, and Virtue is re-affirming her status as a magazine written by those in high school or younger. As a testament to this, I am now stepping down as Editor, and passing the mantle over to Miss Theresa Moss. This is not to say that I am going to have nothing more to do with Virtue–quite the contrary. I have every intention of doing as much as possible with the new development that we have in the works, and I look forward to its release.
Our nation may not be perfect. But she offers more than other nations do. Here we can be free–we have the Freedom of Press we might not otherwise have. And Virtue certainly makes use of it. But whether America is best or worst is something that can only be decided by you.
There’s a lady that stands in a harbour for what we believe. And there’s a bell that still echoes the price that it cost to be free.
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