Miss Dorothy Carlson’s winning oration on “What the Constitution Should Mean to an American Citizen” was delivered as follows:

Since the dawn of history man has ever inspired to freedom; the desire for liberty has been the greatest urge of the human heart.

This aspiration was the moving force in the establishing of the transitory republics of Greece, and Switzerland; it, later, wrested from King John that significant contribution to liberty, the Magna Charta.

The urge behind that heroic handful of undaunted patriots, the Pilgrim Fathers, as they braved the unknown dangers of a trackless sea, was to secure religious freedom; they dreamed, not of self and power, but of liberty , the God-given birthright of all men. The fruition of their noble aspirations was the inspired Declaration of Independence. Little did they realize that, under God’s guidance, they were laying the foundation of universal democracy!

After the smoke of the Revolution had cleared, the gaunt specter of want the misery was board in the land; chaos, almost to anarchy, talked about with ominous tread; hearts were heavy, but the Ship of State was destined to weather the storm. The framers of out Constitution met in 1787 and, out of the confusion of the loosely bound confederation, torn with dissension from within the lack f support from without, these great souls gathered the scattered forces of freedom and crystallized them into a Constitution – a Constitution dedicated to liberty – a Constitution that has become not only the corner stone of our liberty but also a pattern for liberty loving people the world over – a Constitution whose new and dominant note stressed the rights of the individual.

Describe as Masterpiece

A masterpiece of government – unique, in that it contains, for the first time in all history, a bill of rights so comprehensive as to cover the full gamut of personal liberty; a constitution providing a representative form of government; a Government composed of sovereign States under strong central control; a Government having a system of checks and balances, whereby the legislative, the executive and the judicial departments each promise an effective check on the others, culminating in a well regulated balance of authority; and, lastly, must I mention those wise provisions whereby the Constitution is kept a living force, capable of conforming to the ever-changing conditions of national growth – I refer to the power of amendment and to the flexible power of judicial interpretation through decisions of the Supreme Court.

Was there very a Constitution like this – a Constitution affording the humblest citizen equal rights with the most powerful – a Constitution carrying out the will of the majority, yet safeguarding the rights of the minority?

This immortal document is a composite of the genius and lofty idealism of its creators, reflecting the majesty of Washington, with the wisdom of Madison, the common sense of Franklin ad the brilliance of Hamilton; yet, it remained for the might Marshall to breathe into the Constitution the breath of life, making it a living instrument.

It now remains for us to uphold that sacred guaranty of liberty. Our Constitution is strong only as we are as strong; weak, as we are weak. We must guard against indifference to civic and national issues and neglect to exercise our rights of franchise. How can our Government be truly representative if we fail to vote? Is liberty so cheap that we value it so lightly? An intelligent, voting citizenry is the Nations’ Salvation – its greatest need!

Foremost Among Nations.

America stands today foremost among the nations of the earth. May it ever maintain this glorious prestige!

Friends, America's future rests upon the individual citizen. Oh, for a Lincoln, to fuse into our civic and national consciousness, in times of peace, the patriotic service and fidelity of purpose so manifest in times of war! We need more leaders and teachers to inspire in us, and especially in the youth of our land, the homely qualities of honesty, fairness, helpfulness, industry and thrift, without which no nation, however. great the character of its liberty, can survive: without which there would have been no lasting Constitution, no united, free America, no Stars and Stripes!

Are we so sated with the pleasures of life that the red blood of true Americanism no longer flows in our veins? - If so, God help us to awaken to a full appreciation of our citizenship! The challenge comes to every American citizen, not only to uphold this Constitution, but to defend it; to uphold it is not enough!

We Americanize the foreigner. Are not many native-born Americans just as truly in need of Americanization? For those who are ignorant of our history and know not our traditions. the valiant stand of the minute men at Lexington means nothing; the roar of Bunker Hill falls on deaf ears; the blood-stained footprints on the ice and snow at Valley Forge bring no heart throb; the Stars and Stripes, floating resplendent on the breeze, brings no quickening of the pulse.ing you.

Sees Perils to Nation.

Ladies and gentlemen, vigilance must be our watchword, for real danger confronts this Nation. Foreigners, under the guise of friendship, come here desiring to wreck the very citadel of our liberty by poisoning the minds of our youth with their seditious propaganda. For these insidious foes, who hold contempt and hatred in their hearts for all established law and order, we have nothing but righteous indignation. We must, by a process of education, teach these radicals new ideals, new standards-teach them that our constitutional freedom is based on fixed rules of law and order; that liberty without responsibility is intense. But to those who come with honesty of purpose we extend the hand of fellowship; we say to them, in all sincerity: 'Our schools are open to you and yours; our industries are calling you; our broad fields are inviting you. With patience and under standing and by the potent force of a living example, we can help them to become good citizens, and, in so doing, we, ourselves, shall be touched with the fire from the altar of liberty.

For the perpetuation of this Constitution and the unity of this Nation the Great Emancipator gave his life. To safeguard democracy the flower of this land paid the supreme sacrifice!

In the common bond of love and service may we ever hold sacred and inviolate the tenets of our matchless Constitution, and may we pass on to posterity this priceless heritage, consecrated by the blood of the sainted dead, with no blot on its escutcheon from our wrongdoing, with no blemish from our neglect.

May we ever be worthy the name of American citizens.

Source: Evening Star Washington, District of Columbia · Saturday, May 28, 1927

Salt Lake Tribune Celebrates Dorothy's Return to Salt Lake City Utah.

SOURCE: The Salt Lake Tribune Salt Lake City, Utah · Sunday, May 22, 1927

Dorothy Carlson Returns Home After Western Oratorical Victory

Amid shouts of cheer and laughter, Miss Dorothy Carlson, winner of the Constitution oratorical contest recently conducted in Los Angeles, arrived in Salt Lake City Saturday night. Miss Carlson was enthusiastically greeted by nearly 150 students and faculty members of East High School, led by Principal Bruce E. Millikin.

It was only two weeks ago that Miss Carlson was judged the best high school orator in Utah. She now returns as the champion of the western zone, which includes Utah, California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Arizona.

Speaking of her victory, the petite Miss Carlson exclaimed:

“I am the happiest girl in the world, and it was truly a wonderful experience.”

She added that her greatest satisfaction came from defeating seven boys who represented the other districts.

Principal Millikin expressed pride in her accomplishment, stating:

“East High is proud of Dorothy and wishes her all the success in the world in the coming national contest.”

Miss Carlson will leave Monday for Washington, D.C., where she will compete in the final national contest to be held on May 27. On July 2, she will depart on a trip to Europe—the prize awarded for her victory in the western states.

Mr. and Mrs. W. O. Carlson, of 764 Hawthorne Avenue, are the proud parents of Dorothy. She is a student at East High School, graduating with the class of 1927 on June 10. During her three years there, she has been very active in dramatic circles at the school.