have today—and this Model Legislature in which you are taking
part—are as old in tradition as the English system of legislative govern-
ment which dates back to the Magna Charta of 1213.

I hope that meetings here in this old State House, itself so rich
in history, will be an inspiration to all of you to work diligently for
the preservation of a heritage so noble and glorious. But so much
for things of the past. Let us talk about the present and the future.

It is most encouraging to me to see young people like yourselves
manifesting such a keen interest in the processes of government. You
have been chosen to come here to this Youth Model Legislature on
the strength of your leadership, and thus you have already demon-
strated your capacity to become responsible citizens of your local
communities, your State and your nation. I know that you will derive
lasting benefits from your experience in these halls. Benjamin D'Israeli,
the nineteenth century British statesman, called the youth of his
nation the "trustees of posterity. " May I enjoin you to consider your-
selves as just that—to think of yourselves as the guardians of the future
of Maryland and of this Republic. Upon your shoulders, within a
very few years, will fall the heavy responsibility of enacting, enforcing
and administering the laws under which your State is governed.

The rewards you receive from your training here at this Model
Legislature will be bountiful. You will learn by experience the ma-
chinery of government, and from that experience you will equip
yourselves to handle the problems and bear the responsibilities of
the future. You will, in short, prepare yourselves for good citizenship,
and, since good citizenship produces good government, your com-
munities and the State as a whole will benefit from your activities
here.

REMARKS ON ACCEPTANCE OF THE FREEDOM SHRINE
FROM THE EXCHANGE CLUB OF BALTIMORE

April 18, 1961

I accept with great pleasure, on behalf of the people of the State
of Maryland, this "Freedom Shrine" so generously donated by the
Exchange Club of Baltimore.

The people of the State will be most grateful to this great organi-
zation for these authentic reproductions of the most hallowed docu-

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