The Honorable John Jay Sarika the judge who tried many of the Watergate cases was in Moorhead recently to speak before students and supporters of Concordia College at a c 400 Club dinner meeting because the pills are in process in many of the Watergate case has Judge sirica could not comment on the tryouts instead. You spoke about the need for a strong and active citizenry in this country and he outlined some of the essential attributes of good citizenship. But before you got to the more serious material in this talk Jets, Erica, like any Toastmaster worth his ham and scalloped potatoes had some personal anecdotes to share with the crowd. I want to tell you about what happened up in Montreal Canada where I was a guest speaker last month just about a month ago tonight. I was standing out in front of the Queen Elizabeth hotel with our son just talkin nice evening. And I noticed there was an automobile parked in a no-parking zone right near the Main Street there 5 passenger automobile black car. No driver was sitting on sitting on the wheel and I didn't pay much attention to it. So all of a sudden the man and what's remind me the story the badges you folks have on tonight man came out the tuxedo on. Why is all excited? He says hurry up. Let's go. Let's leave me try to get a word and I was talking about he says you see that he'll way up there. There was a hill about 500 feet high is he said they cross up there? Yes. I saw Yes. Yes, I can feel what he's talking about tuxedo on his name is mr. Dixon from Norfolk, Virginia. I saw the badge. I knew he was there for the bar association meeting they kept on and on like that and I couldn't get a word in. So, you know, I'm not the most popular man in the world as you know, or in the country. I have a lot of people hate me and some people like me and I couldn't figure out what he was talking about. Come on. Now. He said get in the car. Let's go. Let's not wait a minute. Mr. Just a minute. I said, you know, I've been called a lot of things in my life specially last 2 years yet. He says but I'll get in here you're here to drive me up to this reception. The mayor's giving I said, yes, I know about it. We were invited but we didn't want to go through the going to be 10,000 I said, well, I finally got a word in and I said well now my name is John Sarika. I didn't say you had to say was that without us at all. Right? Well, not everything is happening now, so We shook hands, and I hope I said hope you have a nice evening tonight and we didn't go because they're going to be about ten thousand people. I want to get ready for this talk next day. You probably have thought about this trial. I've been engaged in for over all I guess I've been in this case or these cases for almost 3 years now and some humorous things have happened and the whole Affair I think all of you agree with me has been a very sad experience the whole country with people involved and everybody else. I remember on one occasion during the trial. This is a matter of record I can talk about this. Lil day I had to 50 of 60 members of the news media from all over the country in different newspapers people radio TV and the public were crowding in that I had a people and people had about a hundred and sixty sets of earphones or headphones on maybe you read about it in the newspaper and John Dean was on the stage and he was testifying about something he said on the tapes by the technician they're going to take you and always have a special man for that. So everybody was very serious you get here and we couldn't hear anything of course, except what was going on and tapes being played. So I noticed a in front of me. One of the Lord is John Wilson who was representing one of the fence he popped up and he apparently one of them checked and I still couldn't happen. So I've checked your honor I object that's what's the objection. I started to say John, you know, we spin the disc tourneys office together and I had the next to her office to him. But the way we fought sometime you never think we were friends, but they said that I object your honor one of the members of news media back here then laughing while it takes them playing object you at this is very serious Affair I said, I agree with you guys, but I couldn't hear it cuz you know, I had the air phones on that. Yes. I realize that so with that the members of news media was so I didn't he didn't name the man. So just about at the right psychological moment, one of the lawyers a great trial or a fella named Bill hudley, representing one of the defendants in order to break the tension, I guess first. I said to the mediation of the lawyer said would you please tell the members the news media not to laugh of anything funny comes over these tapes. I think it's a serious thing here. I said, I'll do that. Mr. Wilson. So I told in all seriousness, please don't laugh. If you hear anything all the tips takes them use you with that we settle down about to put the earphones back on and get going again. So Bill Huntley a great trial lawyer representing another defendant popped up. He says judge she says, how about crying? I can't tell you not to cry. So that was it. So we broke the tension and we start at all. No. Just another little incident that happened and then I'll go on to the other. John Chancellor, I'm home all of your photos of heard on NBC program the journalist commentator send a letter to me one day of April. 6 weeks before my 70th birthday, which was on March 19th 1974. They said judge you said I'd like to say something about you on the night before your birthday on the air. I would appreciate it. If you would let me send allow me to send a photographer down take a couple of pictures of you and your shirt sleeve. It was specified shirt sleeves. I guess he didn't believe I've ever worked. So he wanted a picture of me and my Church lyrics. All right, man came down. His name was Stanley tetra. Fake he came down took the pictures. I list of the program was very flattered by what he said by six weeks after my birthday this photographer. Call me again. ASA judge you said I have a friend. That's the way start the conversation who is been following the case you're involved in and has expressed a desire. They like come down and chat with you while we talk back and forth. So finally, I naturally I said Captain to say to him like this I said, well, what's his name like that? What's his name? And he said to me on the phone. He said his name is Robert Redford. I said well who in the hell is Robert Redford? So they so he said on the phone Bernstein story and they going to make a movie at the oh my God. I said, I thought I knew a little bit about everything but I don't think about the movie fiction to stay. So anyway Redford came down with a nice visit about an hour couple days later went home at night. My little girl. I only 11 years old. I told her I said had a movie actor in today. Talk to him and see what's the name of the Robert Redford and you know people ask me to cage me for autographs and I'm very very happy to do it Robert Redford came down to see you. All right, where's my autographs? You said? Where is it? All right. Now I want all of you to know that I am happy to be here to address the members of the sea 400 buck and Abby with my good friend judge, Ronald Davies. It is certainly a pleasure and a great opportunity for me to address. Such a distinguished group of alumni and Civic leaders as we have here this evening. A few months ago after accepting your kind invitation to be your guest speaker and prints of your guest and principal speaker for this event. I was considering what I might say to you tonight. About that time. I received a fine letter from your executive secretary telling me about Concordia College and the purposes and goals of the safety. 412. The letter stated in part as follows and I quote. Since the college was founded in 1891 Concordia has been dedicated as a Church College to sending forth into the world thoughtful in for men and women. Dedicated to the Christian way of life and of course. Having read this it occurred to me that Concordia College the fine institution to which all of you are dedicated. Is deeply involved in the noble labor of producing capable and good citizen. It was from this thought that I decided upon the theme from my remarks tonight. All of you by your effort or engage and what I like to call the pursuit of Excellence. For it is through fine institutions of learning like your own. That the grand goals of excellence in education and citizenship may be achieved. a list of the great service of course to our country and one in which each and every one of you can be proud to be a part of as we reach the bicentennial of our nation. We cannot help but think of the history of our great country Ponder its successes and failures and seek to understand why. Despite turmoil and prices. It has been so stable. So prosperous and above also free significantly many people including myself. Feel that much of the credit must go to our founding father. Who was there great wisdom and foresight. Pandora wonderful Constitution They based our government upon the rule of law. And not of men placing no man, no matter how powerful and influential above the reach of the law. You and I know our constitution is an amazing document. It's tremendous flexibility and strength has caused men and women Scholars and politicians to Marvel down through the years. As William Gladstone a great English drawers once said and I quote the American Constitution is so far as I can see. The most wonderful work ever struck off at a given time by the brain and purpose of man. How true. But despite all this are constant Constitution is only a document. It is not self-executing. It cannot by itself Safeguard the great principles that contains. This is why a great deal of America success is due to the fact. That we have been blessed with a strong enlightened citizenry, which has dedicated itself to making the Constitution work. Concordia College, like so many other fine institutions across the country. Is working to continue to encourage the type of citizenship which will keep this great document a living breathing and viable thing. By your support of the college you are taking part in the pursuit of extra. And the well-educated young people who graduate from this school will be your legacy to the future of this great country. I was this type of spirit. The world of the future will be fashioned in the Christian tradition. Based on peace and respect for the individual. All of us here tonight have been around long enough to know that each day brings with it new problems and new need. Well, we are living in a complex and ever-changing world. And it will take strong new leaders and then unlike Enlighten citizenry to fulfill the needs of tomorrow. Are the question is what kind of citizens do we need? What characteristics must we seek to develop and encourage in the citizens of both today and tomorrow? He will permit me. I would like to examine what I say are some of the basic qualities and values that should be possessed by every American citizen. First of all a citizen must have a desire for Unity. We are all citizens of the United States joined together to achieve common purposes. Are you at the Maze of course cooperation Fellowship? I'm working side-by-side to build a sturdy and free Society. We can only progress if we approach our common goals with concerted action in a United effort. But let there be no mistake. Unity does not mean that we want uniformity. Thank God for our differences of taste opinion and dew point. It would be undesirable to say the least for each American you be a rubber stamp copy of every other mother other American. lacking originality and individuality We need as many different ideas and opinions as we can find because that is the way that are free and intelligent people work out their destiny. As a federal judge I have had the privilege of welcoming many new citizens. Who have gain their citizenship through naturalization? One thing that I always ask them to do is to think like an American. I tell them to be proud of their heritage heritage as I am. Because it is of combination and intertwining of so many great immigrant backgrounds representing many nationalities that has contributed so much to the growth and greatness of America. After all, I remember all of ours ancestor did not of course come over on the Mayflower. We know that. But as I but I also tell new citizens to consider the commitment that are made by becoming United States citizen and the responsibility they have to goodnight themselves with their fellow Americans in order to help achieve our nation's goal. secondly every citizen must of course be concerned with Justice. I personally feel that every man and woman, although he or she may not fully understand the complexities of our legal system wants to be treated fairly and has a desire to see that justice prevails. As Citizens therefore we must promote Justice. When I say justice, I am talking about public both public and private Justice. Perhaps we could you find it as a habit or procedure of giving to every man and woman that which is rightly do them. As a matter of public Justice we are blessed with a strong independent legal system. Having a tradition of settling disputes with fairness. Buying through this system Across America and hundreds of courtroom are Judges and juries provide us with impartial method and an impartial method of settling differences and dispute. Now this system has enabled us to achieve greater equality among people. More protection of individual right? more evenly distributed Economic Opportunity More security to person and property and greater personal freedom and any other system yet put into practice in the history of mankind. But it is not by any means. Perfect. Our system is not by any means perfect. What does it mean it needs a concern and conscientious conscientious citizens willing and able to support it by serving of courses George when called upon to do so and by insisting upon the continued independence of our judicial system. Now outside from our courts there exists what we call a private kind of justice as well. This kind of justice is a very personal one. And is exercised in our dealings with our fellow Americans in the area of Good Conduct morality and character. Which is beyond the reach of public law. It involves such things as Fairplay equal opportunity and a man-to-man type of neighborly concern for the rights and freedom of the other. it is perhaps the essential fabric of good citizenship and the basis for obedient to the law. If we are fair and honorable in our dealings with others, we are not likely to violate the law and serious matters. I can only repeat what was said by Daniel Webster many years ago, and I'd like to quote he said Justice is the greatest interest of man on Earth. It is a ligament which whole civilized beings and civilized Nations together. and thirdly every citizen must try for peace and Tranquility throughout the nation. We all know that we cannot progress socially or economically in a society fill with this order and turmoil. However, because of its vast size and complexity. It's variety of peoples and diversity of Interest. and its position in World politics America is constantly faced with potential sources of conflict. Although we have attempted to control to control such confrontations in our history. We have known the terrorists Horrors and tragedies of such things as civil war labor Strife gang war racial and religious disturbances civil unrest and armed conflict on foreign soil. Why we know that some conflict is inevitable. And I might add at times very valuable. We must strive to keep it from being destructive. We must resolve our differences at the bargaining table at the cost of words rather than on the battlefield or in the street at the cost of life. And what does this require? It requires that everyone. Be willing to compromise and seek intelligent solution. It requires patience flexibility restraint and above all a recognition of the rights of others to espouse do points contrary to our own. List of course is no easy can of court, but it is a small price to pay for peace and Tranquility as a citizen one must also as another characteristic they concerned about the defense of our great country. Presently due to the events of recent years National Defense course is not a very popular topic of discussion unhappily. The course of world events has forced us to emphasize the fence far more than Americans like to Perhaps this is due to our inherent hatred and fear of War. Citizens must be able to take an educated and practical view of our nation's vital defenses to ensure that they are sufficient to protect us from those who would seek to destroy our country with the use of force. In addition to our military defenses. There is also a type of defense. That is the absolute responsibility of every American. This duty is to defend the great principles of life and Liberty which are provided for in our Constitution and Bill of Rights from those who would try to destroy us or abolish them. We must defend of course Every Man's rights guaranteed to him by the Constitution. Another important characteristic of good citizenship. Is that of a true Devotion to the general welfare in simple words. It is a desire to see that the happiness and prosperity of all Americans advancing. The worthwhile citizen is glad to place his talents and training at the service of his fellow American. This is where the pursuit of Excellence comes into play. In such violent field of medicine law teaching the Fine Arts sciences and business America needs those who are willing to strive for and of course the chi vexmo. This is necessary if we are to grow and progress. We need people like this to take part in local state and national government and Community Affairs to give what they have to offer to take a vigorous part in American Life. lastly each and every American should focus his mind on and heart on Liberty. Are Liberty? Should always remain. The nearest and dearest thing to each and everyone of us. This should be because it is Upon Our precious Freedom of Choice speech press religion and action that our American way of life is based. As all of you know, we are blessed with a living blessed to be living rather in a democracy. I happen to mention this by way of ad-libbing today to a group of Judges lawyers. Businessman who said we broke bread together until I was ordered by the TV people radio people go in another room. So it was fake but I happen to mention this when I can't come to this word democracy, which I love so much. Have you ever stopped to think for a moment to compare? Our great government are Greek democracy, which is almost 200 years old with what is going on today in India, the so-called great democracy in India where the prime minister is told the Press what the right what to do things like that? What a comparison to me doesn't make you proud to feel that you're an American just think of it. My blood boils. Sometimes you have all heard. I'm sure that democracy is government by the people and that is exactly friends what it is. The people of course must make it work. You and I know that our democracy is I indicated is not perfect. We must admit that it has its drawbacks and effects. But despite this our democracy, of course is the best form of government that has yet been conceived or devised by man on the history of the world because it is based upon Liberty and freedom for all men and women. Our Constitution and Bill of Rights are a statement of our democracy which sets forth the Liberties which we love and desire. And we have created institutions as you know, like courts and legislatures to protect them. But all of this of course is not enough. I want that a great judge say I'm sure judge Davies chief judge of our federal court here and all the other judges present at read this great judges opinions many time judge Learned Hand has been deceased for some time now used to be on the second Circuit Court of Appeals set. That is so true when you analyze these were Liberty lies in the hearts of men and women want a die. Is there no Constitution. No law, no court can save it then let me repeat it. Again Liberty lies in the hearts and minds of men and women when it dies there no Constitution, no law, no carts and savor. Well this rate I asked you to take your Liberty the hard and seek to instill it in the hearts of those you come in contact with. but taking your Liberty the heart requires that we participate in those activities of government, which affect our freedom this involves are being active status has not passed instead of active. We know of course that everyone can I be a senator or a congressman or even a political party leader? But each and every one of us can and must exercise our right to vote in every election support bookly and monetarily to our best to the best of our ability the causes which we feel a right and just and if called upon serve as an elected or appointed official with honor and integrity I believe that these six elements of good citizenship, which I have talked about and which if I have shared with you today are vital to the future success and growth of our country politically socially and economically In a special way they sum up the ultimate purposes of our American form of government. Where is you may have realized by now. I did not choose these Concepts at random. They are familiar to each and everyone of you. I have been using as the basis for my remarks on citizenship the introduction to the world's greatest political document. It reads as follows and I quote. We the people of the United States in order to form a more perfect union establish justice. insure domestic tranquility provide for the common defense Promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity do ordain and establish this constitution for the United States of America. I want to congratulate each and every one of you for the fine work that you have done and are continuing to do here at Concordia College. Thank you very very much for your kind attention this evening. Thank you. The Honorable John J. Sarika chief judge it many of the Watergate trials in Moorhead recently to speak before students and supporters of Concordia College at a c 400 Club dinner meeting. I'm John HD.