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 of the folk-court. When I turn my eyes upon what is going on around us and what is now also threatening our community, I somehow feel that the peaceful existence we have enjoyed so long will never return, that the time has now come to show by deed and strife whether our democratic form of government is durable and our cooperative spirit equal to the intense conflict which is approaching. You all know what struggle is advancing upon us, and not from only one direction, but you will hear more about this today, so I need not at this time go further into detail concerning it.”

“However, I would like to point out and impress indelibly upon your minds how great is our need to take a firm and unyielding stand upon matters encroaching on our liberty. But in this neither I nor anyone else has the right to dictate to you. If you wish, you will heed my advice, if not, the privilege is yours to reject it. The most I can say is that today we are at the cross roads and must choose the road we are to follow. It is fitting then that those of us who are old and wise should explain very carefully our choice and to what it will eventually lead us as well as where we stand right now.”

“Rest your eyes a moment, estimable citizens, upon our banner which for over fifty years now has listened to our words and observed our acts. Do any of you know the significance of this symbol? Our ancestors, the hallowed and time-honored forefathers, made the banner and passed the secret of its symbolism on to me, saying, ‘Zakhar, someday, at a transitional moment in the community’s history, when it needs the cool prudence, and the quick perception of what is possible, you must reveal to the populace the true significance of our ensign’s symbolism and explain to them that only in the strictest observance of our time-tested principles of cooperative democracy rests our spiritual salvation and our liberty, and that failure to conform to these principles, neglect of the precepts left by our ancestors,